Chicago White Sox outfielder and former Madeira High School standout Andrew Benintendi was thanked in a Facebook post “for his incredibly generous support of the Madeira Field of Dreams project.”
The project includes the installation of a turfed infield at Sellman Park, new dugouts and backstop fencing.
“Read this special message from Andrew about the memories that inspired him to give back,” the post read. “We’re so grateful for his help in creating new opportunities and lasting memories for the next generation of Madeira’s baseball players.”
“In the summer of 2002, I began my dream of playing baseball at Madeira’s Dumont Elementary School field,” Benintendi said in the message. “I broke the huddle with my Madeira Hobbits teammates and jogged to my outfield position. Just over 16 years later at Dodger Stadium, I ran in from my outfield position with my Boston Red Sox teammates to join the dogpile celebrating our 2018 World Series championship.”
“From Dumont to Sellman Park to Fenway Park to Dodger Stadium, I climbed the baseball mountaintop and realized my baseball dream,” Benintendi continued. “It began on an all-dirt infield with high outfield grass and a single wooden bench serving as our ‘dugout.’ Madeira is now committed to making the baseball field at Sellman Park one of the best in Cincinnati. I ask that you join me in helping Madeira create a new ‘Field of Dreams’ for a new era of Madeira baseball players. Big dreams do come true.”
Benintendi is batting .238 with 10 homers in his 11th MLB season. He signed a five-year deal with the White Sox worth $75 million in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Andrew Benintendi sends message with Madeira Field of Dreams donation
Reporting by Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
