José Berríos, Javier Báez host charity event with star-studded turnout

As the offseason continues to chug along with trade rumblings and free agent rumors, two players have been busy making an impact of their own. On December 15, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos and Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez — whose wives are sisters — teamed up to host the second El Dream Home Run Derby and Celebrity Softball Game at Puerto Rico's Estadio Roberto Clemente Walker, and there was quite the star-studded turnout.

The sold-out event was a fundraising effort for communities in Puerto Rico, with all proceeds being split between the two hosts' charities. Berríos’ Fundación La Makina focuses on nurturing dreams and creating opportunities for local children through sports, education, and health, while Báez’s El Mago Foundation works to help patients who suffer from spina bifida. Báez’s sister Noely passed away from spina bifida in 2015, and his work with El Mago Foundation is in her honor.

As well as celebrity appearances from Latin musician Daddy Yankee and Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano, the home run derby and softball game featured an extensive list of MLB stars putting their skills on display. Yariel Rodríguez, Jurickson Profar, Emmanuel Rivera, Francisco Lindor, Martín Maldonado, Jose Miranda, Edwin Díaz, Jorge Polanco, Heliot Ramos, Enrique Hernández, Willi Castro, Alexis Díaz, Carlos Beltrán, and Carlos Gómez all showed up to compete, and while Báez was unable to play due to the season-ending right hip surgery he underwent in August, Berríos pitched for Team La Makina.

And there was certainly no shortage of excitement on the field. Blue Jays pitcher Rodríguez stunned fans by going 3-for-3 at the plate and even hitting a home run, and the New York Mets' Lindor caused a stir when he seemingly hit a game-tying run for Team La Makina — even doing a cartwheel on his way to first base — but it was taken off the board after replay review confirmed he had failed to touch third base. Still, Team La Makina managed to beat Team El Mago, 14-13, on a walk-off grand slam by the Baltimore Orioles' Rivera.

Profar — whose been a hot topic of conversation this winter as one of the top free agent outfielders now that Juan Soto has signed with the New York Mets — won the home run derby, launching two homers in a swing-off against Rivera. The 31-year-old slugger took a lap around the field to celebrate his victory, and even gave his sunglasses to a fan in the crowd as a souvenir of the event.

While the total amount raised from the El Dream Home Run Derby and Celebrity Softball Game this weekend is yet to be announced, Berríos and Báez raised over $1 million last year for their charities and have said they plan to continue teaming up in the future for these important causes.

“I’m super thankful for the help and the support from my teammates, family and everyone who came out,” Berríos said in Spanish, according to MLB.com's Maria Guardado. “I feel really proud and thankful. It’s the second time we’ve had it. There’s a lot of happiness and adrenaline from the competition. At the end of the day, it’s for a great cause. It’s for the kids, families and to keep creating opportunities for others.”