Alex Rodriguez shares powerful message about importance of Boys & Girls Clubs during fundraiser

Alex Rodriguez's history with the Boys & Girls Clubs is strong. It was a place that gave him confidence as a youngster, and he has been a member of the Hank Kline Club in Miami since he was nine years old.

Now, the former New York Yankees slugger serves as a board member for both the Miami-Dade chapter and nationwide. He is often seen doing various things for the organization, like ribbon-cutting ceremonies and other initiatives.

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The former MLB slugger recently spoke at the 14th annual Claws for Kids event. During this, he spoke about just how important these clubs are for millions of kids across the country.

"Boys & Girls Clubs changed my life. It was the place where I first began to believe in myself -- where mentors and programs helped me build the self-esteem I needed to chase big dreams" said Rodriguez.

The Boys & Girls Clubs are where A-Rod started to believe in himself that he could do great things. If it were not for his experiences here, he may not have ever gained the confidence to become a 14-time All-Star in the big leagues.

This is a place where kids can turn to when they do not believe they have anyone in their corner. With the help and support they have gotten over the years, the clubs are going as strong as ever. As of 2025, the club has over 5,400 locations across the world, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Powerful group set to join Alex Rodriguez in Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame

New York Yankees - Alex Rodriguez (Photo via IMAGN)

Alex Rodriguez is more than ready to welcome the new Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame class. There are some great people here who are getting recognized for their efforts throughout the years.

Former college basketball and NBA player Derek Anderson will be inducted. He now works as a wellness counselor for the league and views the Boys & Girls Clubs as a life-changing experience for him.

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American cardiologist Rita NG will also be inducted. The former Miss California has been with the club since 1989 and views the organization as an extended family.

Terry Crews, Donnie Wahlberg, Kenneth "Montez Ford" Crawford, Cedric "The Entertainer" Kyles, Khalia Collier, and Donnie Edwards will also be indicted. This is the perfect group to induct while the club celebrates its 35th anniversary.

About the author

Jared "Bloomy" Bloom is a journalist covering Major League Baseball at Sportskeeda and a former college baseball pitcher from Illinois, who just graduated with a Master's degree in Sport Psychology.

A writer with over 3 years of experience, Jared is consistently more concerned with quality than quantity, thoroughly checking multiple sources of information, and prides himself in being knowledgeable not just about MLB, but the game of baseball in general. He loves breaking down plays and game-changing moments, as well as looking closer into players' statistics.

Jared is a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan, and one of his earliest memories is seeing his great-grandfather, a huge Sox fan, in his rocking chair watching a game. Jared started playing from the age of 5 with his grandfather coaching him early on.

Jared loved Tim Lincecum for his quirky delivery and looked up to him as a role model when playing. His current favorite is Phillies star Bryce Harper, an exciting player who doesn't let injuries hold him back. Jared's favorite sports moment is Mark Buehrle's opening day between-the-legs glove flip to first base in 2010.

When he is not watching or writing about baseball, Jared can be found racing BMX at his local Rockford BMX track or coaching his local youth travel baseball team.

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Edited by Jared "Bloomy" Bloom