J-Rod makes Three Kings Day extra special

This story was excerpted from Daniel Kramer’s Mariners Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SEATTLE -- Three Kings Day, the pinnacle of the holiday season in many Central and South American countries, has long had a special place in Julio Rodríguez's heart. But this year was easily at the tip top of them all.

The Mariners’ center fielder returned home to the Dominican Republic in conjunction with the holiday this week and oversaw a multi-day philanthropic effort that bookended the various toy drives and baseball and softball equipment donations he spearheaded over the past two months, including an event in Seattle.

Those efforts -- aided by the Mariners Care Foundation and many of his corporate sponsors in the U.S., as well as his own initiative -- No Limits Foundation -- culminated with a huge giveaway in his hometown of Loma de Cabrera to what Rodríguez estimated were close to 1,000 boys and girls.

“To the kids, it means so much, I believe, because I know what it’s like to not have all the equipment and things that we’ve brought here,” Rodríguez said. “I’m very grateful and fortunate to have really good partners and people that support me to make all this happen. I know they’re going to put it to great use, and I’m really excited to see where this is going to lead to.”

Rodríguez’s enterprise went way beyond the tangible gifts, too, as he held a baseball and softball clinic, a basketball clinic and oversaw the inauguration of the new Culture Center in Loma de Cabrera, for which he made over $50,000 in donations to refurbish. Rodríguez described the building as the point of the community, where everyone can come and feel welcomed and safe.

“This is a really big event, and I’m really excited to be a part of and for everybody who has supported me to make this happen. This is something that’s really meaningful for everybody, because I know the needs of the community and I’m very grateful and happy that I’m able to support them.”

Rodríguez also welcomed celebrity barber and stylist Vic Blends, who offered free haircuts to many in attendance, which itself was special beyond the baseball component. With over 18 million followers on various social media platforms, Blends is a superstar in his industry, having cut the hair of celebrities such as Barack Obama, Steve-O, Big Sean and countless NBA players.

Rodríguez first connected with Blends during Spring Training last year, when he invited him to Arizona, and they’ve formed a bond since. At the hoops clinic, Rodríguez invited Victor Liz, one of the top basketball players in the D.R.

Moreover, Rodríguez invited close to 20 people from various brands and organizations in the U.S. that support him -- Gatorade, Victus, T-Mobile, Remitly, Adidas, Rairdon Auto Group, Dynasty Financial and MLB -- each of which have all donated either time, products or money to bring the big day to life.

As special as it was to see the fruits of his efforts, he also wanted to show off his hometown to those who’ve been alongside him since ascending to stardom in the U.S.

“I have never been a part of an event like this before here in my hometown,” Rodríguez said. “I’m very grateful to be able to bring some giving spirit here.”

Rodríguez returns home every offseason and has done so in grand fashion, being front and center for a massive parade celebrating his American League Rookie of the Year Award after the 2022 season and donating an ambulance to Loma de Cabrera’s civil defense headquarters on the same trip.

But this year reached new heights.

A large vessel behind the months-long efforts was No Limits, the philanthropic organization he established last year, and whose mission statement is “to create opportunities that inspire children to believe in their boundless potential, education and mentorship.”

For all of his extensive interactions with fans over the past three seasons, enhanced through his outgoing personality, Rodríguez has consistently put an extra emphasis on connecting with kids -- and there was no holiday he loved more when he was a kid than Three Kings Day.

Held on Jan. 6 every year, the day marks the visit of the Three Wise Men (or Three Kings) to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem, according to Christian tradition, and the day is especially focused on children.

“Making it happen has been my favorite part,” Rodríguez said.

The Mariners report to Spring Training in just five weeks, but Rodríguez is already planning his philanthropic efforts for next year -- specifically with hopes to refurbish the baseball field where this week’s event took place.