(670 The Score) As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world, White Sox slugger Edwin Encarnacion is doing as much as he can to help those in need.
Encarnacion is working with former MLB stars Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz and other active and retired players across the game to raise funds in their native Dominican Republic. The group has raised about $1 million for the COVID-19 Dominican Republic Initiative through the Pedro Martinez Foundation. The money will fund life-saving supplies such as ventilators, face masks, cleaning supplies and food.
"We have over 50 players in the group," Encarnacion said on a conference call Wednesday. "The idea came from me, David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez and Jose Bautista. We are trying to collect money for the virus that is in the Dominican Republic. A lot of people are in need of medical and food supplies. We are trying to collect money from many players."
Encarnacion has taken his charitable efforts to the highest level of baseball as well.
"We reached out to MLB and MLBPA to see if they can help," Encarnacion said. "I am asking the Chicago White Sox organization to help as well. We have been busy collecting money and as of today, we have collected close to $1 million already."
The Dominican Republic has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with at least 8,200 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country and at least 345 deaths resulting from it as of Tuesday. The nation is highly dependent on the cruise line industry, which has come to a halt as arrivals have been suspended at ports and coasts.
"The situation here in the Dominican is not good," Encarnacion said. "It is getting worse. We have bought over 1,000 test kits for the people here. We have spread the kits around to different cities throughout the Dominican Republic so they can give people food and medical help to the people who need it."
"We as players from the different cities are always trying to give back. Pedro does the same thing in San Pedro De Macoris. Albert Pujols is doing the same in Santo Domingo. The idea to put a group together for all the cities with different players came from me. I knew everybody was doing something in their city. I wanted everybody to do it together like one team. That way we can keep track of giving more supplies to whoever needs it in the whole country. This way, we can collect more money and help more people."
Encarnacion has a batting cage at his farm in Santo Domingo, and he's hoping to ramp up his workouts at a nearby baseball complex next week. The MLB season remains suspended, but the league is hoping to start the regular season sometime this summer.
"I have been working at home and doing the things I need to do to get ready," Encarnacion said. "I am still waiting as to what they are going to do to start a season. I want to play and am ready to play. We will see what happens. I have trainers working with me, but next week I will go to the baseball academy I built and work out with a few guys I know who have been taking really good care of themselves. Everything will be safe there. So we are waiting and seeing if we can start next week."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
