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February 11, 2005
Minor Leaguers Visit Jimmy Fund Clinic
In recent years, the Boston Red Sox have hosted an off-season rookie orientation program for their most promising minor league prospects. As part of this introduction to life in the big leagues, Boston management teaches players that being a "Red Sock" requires some level of community involvement. With this lesson in mind, 11 of the Sox's top minor leaguers recently dropped in on the Jimmy Fund Clinic for a crash course in "Red Sox Philanthropy 101."
Minor league members of the Boston Red Sox enjoying a moment with Nayree Goler in the Jimmy Fund Clinic
Shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is touted as the Sox's top prospect by Baseball America magazine, then joined fellow players Kenny Perez, Abe Alvarez, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Papelbon, Jon Lester, Cla Meredith, Juan Perez, Dustin Pedroia, Adam Stern, and Kelly Shoppach in chatting with clinic families, signing autographs, handing out Red Sox teddy bears, and, in one case, even warning a patient to be cautious when he gets his driver's license in a few years.
"We're so thankful for the players' visit," said Jackie Sullivan, an adolescent specialist in the Jimmy Fund Clinic. "The kids really enjoy it when pro athletes visit; it provides a welcome distraction."
