Arizona Diamondbacks Host 26th Annual Winter Classic

The reigning National League champions Arizona Diamondbacks held their annual Winter Classic Event at Chase Field on Wednesday.

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The Season Of Giving

Over 500 students from Title 1 schools were invited to the event and had the time of their lives.

The focus of the festival was to give these kids an early Christmas and that is exactly what happened. Each student received a brand-new pair of shoes, two books, a book bag, and a sweatshirt while at the event.

 

Two volunteers, Rachel Ohlschlager and Chris Fagen were at the University of Phoenix reading corner and saw how much these books meant to the students.

“It’s nice to see kids who are interested in reading and they get excited when they choose their two books,” Fagen said.

The students rotated through stations, including a reading center, pictures with Santa, playing baseball, dancing, meeting Star Wars characters, and much more. This gave them time to look through all the books and choose the ones they wanted the most.

“When we find a book that’s on a topic they’re interested in, you see their face light up and it’s amazing to see,” Ohlschlager said.

Players Make A Winter Classic Appearance

The D-backs’ newest signee pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez appeared at the event, as well as reigning Rookie of the Year and outfielder Corbin Carroll.

This event was just as important to the players as anyone else. Rodriguez explained how amazing it feels to support the community immediately after signing his contract with the team.

“To just sign the contract and come the next day and start meeting the community, meeting the kids, and making them happy, especially during Christmas just makes me happy,” Rodriguez said.

While the former Red Sox and Tigers pitcher already knows the feeling of winning a World Series, he wants another one and knows this Arizona team can make it happen.

“For sure man, that’s why I signed here, I wanna get to the World Series and win it,” Rodriguez said.

The Impact

This event had an incredible impact on each kid who attended and everyone who participated in it.

Former MLB player and current Diamondbacks first base/outfield base-running coach Dave McKay helped throughout the entire event and spoke about how much it meant.

“To see the joy on their faces when they get a gift, it’s just amazing, like Christmas,” McKay said.

Mckay has been a huge part of the team’s recent success and knows how important it is to make an impact off the field as well.

The magical run made by the Diamondbacks to the World Series will not be forgotten, but neither will this event and its impact on over 500 children from the community.

 

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Saleh Awwad is a reporter/writer covering Phoenix High School Sports and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @SalehAwwad_