Choo's donation will significantly supplement the amount MLB owners have pledged to minor leaguersGETTY IMAGES
Rangers LF Shin-Soo Choo will "essentially give the 190 players in the Rangers' minor league system the equivalent of a government stimulus check -- $1,000 with no strings attached -- to help them navigate the dire immediate challenges" of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Evan Grant of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Choo said, "People are really having a tough time. I can help." Grant notes Choo's donation will "significantly supplement the amount MLB owners have pledged to minor leaguers." The owners earlier this week "agreed to pay about $400 per week to minor leaguers through May." This is "not the first time Choo has thought and acted on behalf of minor leaguers." The "reaction throughout the organization was not surprising." Single-A Carolina League Down East Wood Ducks P Scott Engler said of Choo, "This is just what he does. It doesn't matter if it is $1,000 or $50, he is thinking of guys" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/2). In Ft. Worth, Jeff Wilson notes the idea for the donation "came to Choo as he was leaving spring training last month." Choo: "I worried about if the team or MLB would take care of these players. I didn't want these guys to worry about money and just stick to baseball" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/2).
SHINING A LIGHT: In Denver, Mark Kiszla noted Cardinals P Adam Wainwright last month "donated $250,000 to More Than Baseball, an organization established to help to raise the welfare as well as the financial IQ of minor league players." Then, Rockies 1B Daniel Murphy yesterday pledged $100,000 to "assist minor-league families affected by the COVID-19 crisis." More Than Baseball Exec Dir Jeremy Wolf said of the donations, "Having players trust us enough to sign on and speak publicly about what we're doing in a minor-league environment built on silence and fear is in itself enough for celebration" (DENVER POST, 4/2).
