SEATTLE — Julio Rodriguez was in the Dominican Republic in January, where he rebuilt the home of an elderly woman who’s home was destroyed by a flood.
Rodriguez, a center fielder for the Seattle Mariners is from Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic, where during the winter months the region can see heavy flooding.
Rodriguez met Agripina Polanco and her grandson during a free haircut event near their home on Jan. 6, it was during this interaction that Rodriguez learned that Polanco’s grandson plays baseball and is a Mariners fan, rooting for the team all the way from the Dominical Republic.
A month before Rodriguez’s visit, Polanco’s home had been heavily damaged by a flood, becoming nearly uninhabitable, according to Mariners officials.
“Man, I cannot leave this place and not do something about it,” Rodríguez said. “I feel like God is going to punish me if I do. He brought me here for a reason, completely out of the blue,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez then paid to get the home rebuilt while putting Polanco, and her grandson in a nearby apartment until the home was completed, according to Mariners team officials.
Rebuilding the home took nearly four months, the home got new windows, bathroom, air conditioning, stove, refrigerator, lighting and even a T.V!
“I feel like that’s kind of become a theme for me…just like whenever I see something that I can help, I’m definitely going to try my best to lend a hand,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez and the Mariners are sharing the story in an effort to raise awareness of the challenges that some people experience in places like the Dominican Republic, and to hopefully, generate more aid.
In 2023, Rodriguez established the No Limit Foundation, to support and empower underprivileged youth in both Seattle and the Dominican Republic.
Rodriguez signed with the Mariners at just 16 years-old, when he entered the 2022 season he was ranked the number two prospect in baseball.
