Steven Tovar, a 16-year–old Los Angeles Dodgers fan from California, said he’s never been to anything like MLB All-Star Village in his life.
As a center fielder and long-time baseball fan, Tovar said he immediately knew he wanted to come to MLB All-Star Game festivities in Arlington with Make-A-Wish when he was given the chance.
“I mean, [I wanted] something with sports, and baseball is my favorite sport,” he said.
On Sunday morning, Tovar and four other children were greeted by a cheering crowd that was waving blue and white pom poms as they walked into the MLB store of Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. Through a partnership with Make-A-Wish, Fanatics and Major League Baseball, these five children were able to explore All-Star Village and attend other festivities before Tuesday’s game.
“It’s amazing, the impact that you have on the kids, but also the energy it gives to the parents and the community that it creates amongst them because these kids realize ‘I’m not the only one,’ ” Orlando Ashford, chief people officer of Fanatics, said. “Here’s three or four or five other young people that are doing something similar. They may be in different corners of the country, but they create a bond that they keep.”
Former Texas Rangers Ferguson Jenkins and Prince Fielder surprise Make-a-Wish kids during All-Star Weekend
While in the store, the children received baseball jerseys adorned with their last names printed on the back and their favorite MLB team’s logo written on the sleeve. Each child also received a $250 gift to spend on merchandise in the store.
They also had the chance to meet former Texas Ranger Prince Fielder and Hall of Famer Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins.
As the two players mingled, the children, some of whom are in cancer remission, and their families took turns chatting with them, taking photos and getting autographs.
“Anytime you can put a smile on a kid’s face, and you’re the person that can do it, you might as well do it,” Fielder said. “So I just like being around, it’s good energy, like I said, having a blast, you always like seeing people happy.”
Steven Long, an 11-year-old Cardinals fan from the St. Louis area, said it took him a month or two to decide that he wanted to come to All-Star Village for his wish. But after spending Sunday morning with his baseball-loving family, posing for photos with Jenkins and talking with Fielder, he excitedly rushed off to their next activity.
Tovar and Long said there was much more they were excited to experience during All-Star festivities.
“Like the Home Run Derby [on Monday] is gonna be really cool,” Tovar said. “Yeah, and especially like meeting the players like, wow. That’s something I’m really looking forward to. It’s super cool.”