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CHICAGO WHITE SOX
AGE: 34
POSITION: Shortstop
BIRTHPLACE: Manati, Puerto Rico
RESIDES: Manati, Puerto Rico
High School: Fernando Callego, PR HS
PERSONAL: Wife Ilka, 2 sons & 1 daughter
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In
2003, Jose created the Jose Valentin Foundation, to raise
money for low-income children with special health needs.
One of the Foundation’s first projects was purchasing
a wheelchair for a child who had outgrown his. As part
of each donation, Jose meets with the child receiving
funds. He visits Chicago’s Ruiz Elementary School
in support of the Golden Apple Alphabet Bus, a mobile
literacy unit serving children and families. He also speaks
to local schools in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Jose donated 500 White Sox tickets to Latino youth and
school groups. His guests get one-on-one time with Jose
before the games. For Give Thanks America, he taped a
message to U.S. troops overseas. During the 2001 season,
he coordinated and hosted a free baseball clinic for local
children. Teaming with Sharon Robinson and Major League
Baseball, he helps celebrate the “Breaking Barriers:
In Life, In Sports” contest, a program that empowers
students to face the obstacles in their lives. Jose can
often be found in the community on his off-days, meeting
fans and lending a helping hand to White Sox outreach
efforts. In 2000, he showed his support for youth by attending
the opening ceremonies of the Inner City Little League.
Jose
Valentin has averaged 26.5 home runs in his four seasons
with the White Sox. He is one of only four shortstops
in Major League history to hit 25+ homers in four straight
seasons. A switch-hitter, he is the only player in Sox
history to homer from both sides of the plate in a single
game on two occasions.
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