workouts designed by Blake Hickman, former White Sox Minor Leaguer and current Minor League coach (IG @blakehickman93), my movements now consist of a lot of body weight and free weights, most of which I can do at home or while traveling. I also watch a lot of baseball highlights and see clips on social media or on apps like MLB or BRWalkoff to keep up with fitness trends and workouts.
Even though you had a storied career at the University of Illinois Chicago, a lot of folks don’t know that you are a Chicago native. Explain what the Windy City means to you and why you have been so generous in giving back.
The Chicagoland raised me and prepared me to take on the world in more ways than I could ever imagine. I was able to start my athletic career as a young kid and make many friends and have coaches that mentored and influenced me, that I remain close to even today. I had the opportunity to play at UIC, which at the time, was one of the most diverse universities in the U.S. After being drafted, I was easily able to adapt to my pro teammates who were from all over the world. I was offered the opportunity to become an MLB ambassador, to travel the world promoting baseball, which was very exciting since I had classmates and teammates from all these places, which was a dream come true. All of this was thanks to my roots in Chicago. So, while training in the offseason, I was often asked, “why do you stay in Chicago? Why not go somewhere warm and relocate there?” My reply was always, “Chicago got me this far, why would I change it now?” And 16 MLB seasons later, Chicago is still home for me and the big reason why I give back so much to the city.
Throughout your career you were consistently recognized by Major League Baseball for contributing to your community. Share the genesis of Grand Giving and the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy and the impact they have on our youth.