The human condition is the key ingredient to humility, compassion and giving an altruistic hand to the fellow downtrodden human being; something that most live in the flesh in impoverished countries such as Dominican Republic. Nelson Cruz was born in a small town of the rural northwestern part of the Dominican Republic, more specifically Las Matas de Santa Cruz in Monte Cristi. It is in this small town devoid of paved streets, no electricity or running water that his life started with humble beginnings but his father showed him that you can always give a helping hand. Even through the struggles of poverty Nelson Cruz was one of the lucky ones who through his athletic talent punched his ticket to play Major League Baseball.

Like most Dominican baseball players he always returns to his hometown which allowed him to see the necessities of his people. His father, Nelson Cruz Sr., a social studies teacher was always willing to give a helping hand even through his own hardships. With his father’s words and teachings vivid, Cruz Jr. started donating what he could to impact the lives of the people struggling in Las Matas de Santa Cruz. Cruz Jr. started by donating a fire truck after a friend lost his house in a blaze and like combustion his generosity spread to other needs like a police station, medical clinic and an ambulance. For his consciousness and altruism, he was awarded the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPYS this past Sunday the 21st of June. Like most events during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ESPYS were held in social distance from home through video, where Cruz was visibly overcome with emotion, holding back tears in being declared the winner of the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.

He is the first Dominican athlete to win this award recognizing the charitable work he does through his charity Boomstick23. The award grants the charity a $100,000 which is to be used to further their work. As Cruz stated, it will help a lot of people. His work might be in Las Matas de Santa Cruz but the award has a whole nation that is thankful and proud that one of their own is making a difference. In Dominican Republic baseball is a cultural staple as much as is the food, merengue and bachata; this is the reason that the accolades of every player are embraced by the country as a whole. In 2018, Cruz represented the Seattle Mariners as a nominee for Major League Baseball’s prestigious Roberto Clemente Award as we reported in October 2018. Even though he did not win three Dominicans have won it: Sammy Sosa (1998), Albert Pujols (2008) and David Ortiz (2011).

Nelson Cruz’ 14-year Major League Baseball career

Nelson Cruz has been one of the most underrated baseball players, he is a six time All-Star (2009, 2013-2015, 2017, 2018), a 2019 All-MLB First Team, three time Silver Slugger Award winner (2015, 2017, 2019) and two time Edgar Martinez Award winner (2017 and 2019). He was the 2011 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player. In 2014 Cruz led the American League in homeruns hitting 40 and in 2017 was the American League Runs Batted In leader with 119. In 2013 he won the World Baseball Classic playing on the Dominican Republic team that went undefeated in the tournament. He has been MLB’s best power hitter since 2009 leading the Majors with 379 homeruns during this stretch.

Nelson Cruz’ charity Boomstick23 Foundation

Nelson Cruz founded the Boomstick23 Foundation in 2016. The foundation looks to makes “a difference in children’s lives through sport and education” and as per its official website, Boomstick23 Foundation is:

“Committed to generating social impact by empowering children and young people in situations of social vulnerability; developing skills and abilities through education and sports to improve the environment and their quality of life.”

Nelson Cruz has been able to donate a fire truck, a police station, a municipal health clinic and an ambulance. Every year he takes medical professionals to provide medical care for the community and has Major League Baseball players participate in a training camp instructing children. His latest project, which was halted due to the COVID pandemic, is the inauguration of an education center.

Other Latinx and Latin American-descended Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award Recipients

Since the creation of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award in 2013, five other Latinx or Latinx descended people have won an award or one of its many derivatives. In 2013, the first recipient was Ecuadorian-descended Christina Aguilera who won the award for Humanitarian of the Year Award for global hunger. In 2014, Colombian Mario Andres Hurtado Cardozo won the Core Principle Award for Conviction for promoting rights and life affirming activities for young people. In 2016, the Cuban-born international pop singer Jon Secada won the Humanitarian of the Year Award for his support and assistance to charitable groups focused on children, education, AIDS research and child abuse.

In 2018, the Mexican-born Dreamer Reyna Montoya won the Core Principle Award for Spirituality due to her work with immigrant youth. The Colombian Laura Ulloa, whom survived a guerilla kidnapping, was awarded the Core Principle Award for Respect for her outspoken peace advocacy. Nelson Cruz became the sixth Latinx person to be given such a distinction this past Sunday.