MLB teams up with A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club to establish a hydroponic farm

Before the big game Thursday night between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field, Major League Baseball (MLB) left an enduring gift to the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club — a hydroponic farm.

First of its kind MLB gift

Part classroom, part indoor garden, the new Freight Farms hydroponic farm will not only teach valuable lessons, it will help grow vegetables for families throughout the local community.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and an all-star team of former players and current Giants and Cardinals were on hand to unveil the MLB Together legacy project — which is the first of its kind.

Stacy Blackmonwith the Boys & Girls Clubs of America told the gathering of the kids at A.G. Gaston, their teachers, big leaguers and Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Mayor Randall Woodfin why this gift matters. 

“It is exciting to be here. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you. A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club. And thank you for Freight Farms. 

This is the power of partnership. Not too long ago I was at another Boys and Girls Club on a tour and a person on the tour asked our young tour guide — ‘Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?’”

And that young person said I can be anything. Folks, that is the spirit of Boys and Girls Clubs. It’s about young people thriving. It’s about communities thriving.”

Stacy Blackmon, vice president of metro services and director of organizational development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America

MLB & Together ribbon-cutting

Below are photos from the ribbon-cutting, players and mascots.

Along with the Commissioner and Baseball Executives, the following former and current players were in attendance:

• Larry Baer – President & Chief Executive Officer, San Francisco Giants
• Stacy Blackmon – Vice President of Metro Services, Director of Organizational Development, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• Michael Hall – Vice President, Community Relations, St. Louis Cardinals; Executive Director, Cardinals Care
• Jordan Hicks – San Francisco Giants pitcher
• Masyn Winn – St. Louis Cardinals shortstop
• Oli Marmol – St. Louis Cardinals manager
• CC Sabathia – Special Assistant to the Commissioner; Six-time MLB All-Star; A.L. Cy Young Award Winner; World Series Champion; Bay Area native
• Albert Pujols – Special Assistant to the Commissioner; 11-time MLB All-Star; N.L. Rookie of the Year; Three-time N.L. MVP; Two-time World Series Champion
• Ryan Howard – Commissioner’s Ambassador Program; Three-time MLB All-Star; N.L. Rookie of the Year; N.L. MVP; World Series Champion; St. Louis native
• Jimmy Rollins – Commissioner’s Ambassador Program; Three-time MLB All-Star; N.L. MVP; World Series Champion; Bay Area native
• Adam Jones – Commissioner’s Ambassador Program; Five-time MLB All-Star

Rickwood, A.G. Gaston, Willie Mays coming full circle

San Francisco Executive Larry Baer called the event a “full circle” moment for Major League Baseball, the legacy of Willie Mays and the Boys and Girls Club of America. He noted that in 2007, when the All Star game was hosted by the Giants, they established a Boys & Girls Club called the Willie Mays Clubhouse at Hunters Point near Candlestick Park.

Did you participate in this week’s MLB at Rickwood Field Tribute to the Negro Leagues? Tell us your favorite memory on Instagram by tagging us at @bhamnow!