Phillies Star Jean Segura Donates Baseball Field to Native Dominican Republic
By Adam Weinrib
Slugging infielder Jean Segura has one of the sweetest swings in the game, and one of the sweetest temperaments too, it appears.
Though his future on the field is uncertain at the moment, Segura still took the time to fulfill his promise to his hometown in the Dominican Republic, donating a baseball field to the place that nurtured his big league career.
Jean Segura donates stadium to his hometown in DR.
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) May 3, 2020
"As I had promised. This is the stadium I promised you. Now it's the town's opportunity to take care of the field and also help these kids that like me dream to play baseball and be a MLB players. God bless you", Segura said. pic.twitter.com/0FMPKtCOdr
Segura's living the dream, after all -- he's a two-time MLB All-Star and, at his peak, he's an MVP-caliber contributor who can rove all around the infield. With Didi Gregorius manning his former spot at shortstop, however, things could get crowded in Philly in 2020, once the campaign begins.
Before the team suspended training amid the coronavirus pandemic, Segura's makeover was a major story. He'd shown up 14 pounds trimmer, and had cut alcohol out of his system in preparation for a bounce-back season after hitting .280 in 2019, but some defensive deficiencies limited him to a 1.5 WAR.
#Phillies infielder Jean Segura has lent a helping hand — donating food and even a baseball stadium — for those of his native country in this time of need. @Jeansegura02 https://t.co/DMWK5Yh9K4
— PHILLIES TBOH (@FS_TBOH) May 3, 2020
Hopefully, he's able to resume the campaign in Philly soon. For now, Segura's making sure his roots don't go untended.