Shin-Soo Choo donating $1,000 each to 190 Rangers minor leaguers
Shin-Soo Choo, outfielder for the Texas Rangers, has found an incredible way to support the minor league players in the Rangers’ organization during this time of coronavirus uncertainty.
The 37-year-old South Korean is donating $1,000 to every Rangers’ minor leaguer to assist them with living expenses while baseball is suspended. With around 190 players across every level of the Rangers’ minor league system, Choo is donating at least $190,000 directly to the players.
Confirmed this story from Korea: Shin-Soo Choo is donating $1,000 to each of 190 minor leaguers in Rangers system. Amazing gesture by Choo, who has always talked of giving back to next generation like generation of players did for him. https://t.co/IOr5TXAfaW
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 1, 2020
Evan P. Grant of the Dallas Morning News was able to confirm the story, which originated on the South Korean sports website Naver Sports. Naver Sports did an interview with Eli White, an outfielder in the Rangers’ system, who said that Choo donated the money directly to his bank account — he even shared text messages he sent Choo to thank him for his generosity. After White thanked Choo, here’s Choo’s response.
Hey Eli... no problem.
Don’t worry about money just keep playing baseball
Let me know if you need help [with] something more...
In the interview, White praised Choo’s kindness and generosity with not just the minor leaguers he interacts with during spring training and throughout the season, but with coaches, trainers, and clubhouse staff as well.
Choo is in the final year of a seven-year, $130 million contract with the Rangers. According to Grant, Choo is “one of the most respected voices in the clubhouse” and takes his role as a veteran very seriously, offering advice to younger players who are being demoted or having issues with their game.
Daniel Murphy makes donation
Colorado Rockies infielder Daniel Murphy has joined Choo and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright in helping out minor league players.
According to Jake Seiner of the Associated Press, Murphy has donated &100,000 to More Than Baseball, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better future for minor league players.
Just filed to @ap_sports: Rockies INF Daniel Murphy has donated $100,000 to @mtb_org to help minor league players make ends meet with the season on hold.
Joins Shin-Soo Choo, Adam Wainwright as MLBers making significant $ contributions to help MiLBers.— jake_seiner (@Jake_Seiner) April 1, 2020
Wainwright set the bar last week when he donated $250,000 to Cardinals minor leaguers. It’s great to see other players following suit.
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