Marlins Q&A: Jazz Chisholm Jr. talks his foundation, using platform to help next generation
When Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s still blossoming baseball career is all said and done, he wants to be able to look back and say he made an impact on those who are following in his footsteps. He has already become an established name as just the eighth player of Bahamian descent to make it to the big leagues and the first to be named an All-Star. He was the cover athlete for this year’s edition of MLB The Show as well.
The Miami Marlins’ 25-year-old center fielder took a noticeable step forward in doing that on Aug. 18 when he announced the creation of the Jazz Chisholm Foundation, whose mission is to “provide meaningful opportunities and to foster the well being of young athletes and their families from high need communities in Florida and the Bahamas.”
By the end of the fall, the foundation will launch The Jazz Chisholm Foundation Little League in Nassau, Bahamas, wit 150 boys and girls serving as part of the inaugural team. They will be provided uniforms and equipment at no cost as they participate in games around the island.
The foundation held its launch event on Monday with a charity fashion show event in Brickell with a slew of Marlins teammates and other athletes from area teams in attendance.
This isn’t Chisholm’s first time dabbling into philanthropic work. He regularly returns to the Bahamas to host youth baseball clinics or help out at the International Elite Sports Academy, where he trained as a youngster. He also took part in relief efforts when Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in 2019.
Now, Chisholm has an official brand to attach to the work.
Last week, Chisholm spoke with the Miami Herald about launching his foundation. Below is a Q&A from that interview.
How does it feel to have the foundation established and how long has this been in the works?
“It was my second year in the league, so 2021 was when we really started to try and get this going. It took about two years. We’re astonished, especially with how many places have already reached out and just the way the kids are really running to come to the league and get to work and get better at the sport. I want to do good. They’re out there having fun already. We told them that it was happening and my old little league is already out there practicing. It’s sick. I’m just super happy that this is going to happen and I can’t wait to see how many lives and kids we touch with it.”
I know you’ve helped with a lot in the Bahamas before this, but to now have a formal foundation attached to it, how much more does that solidify what you’re able to do, especially this early in your career?
“I mean, nobody really expects to be where they’re at when they get there. We just try to take it a day at a time. I can tell you it’s like living a dream. It’s like almost getting told I was on the cover [of MLB The Show] again. I know the kids back home need it. I went through the struggle to get here and I don’t want anybody else to go through that. I’m just here trying to do my best to do it for them.”
How quickly did the launch event on Monday come together?
“That came together in about two, three months. When we figured out the foundation would be finished and everything, we had to find a way to get it open. What’s better than having a fashion show? I’m all about fashion and not even formal fashion, more street wear than anything.”
Which of your teammates are you most excited to see walk down the runway?
“I’m excited to see Josh Bell. I’m excited to see Sandy [Alcantara]. I’m excited to see [Luis] Arraez, [Bryan] De La Cruz. I might have Ian Lewis walk down the runway. I’m definitely excited to see what he’s got. He’s a younger me, so I expect him to do something.”
You’ve touched on this, but just the importance of using your platform the way that you are. How important was that for you once you got to the big leagues?
“My friends, my family and the people that have been guiding me since I got to the big leagues always keep that in my head. Like, this isn’t only for you. You’ve got to give back because one day, you’re gonna have kids and I know you want your kids to go where you went. You’ve got to put things in place for them. The future is the kids. It’s never in the right now. It’s in the what’s coming next.”
.JPG)