A glitzy gala supporting the foundation bearing Carlos Rodón’s name brought the Yankees out to Greenwich, Conn., earlier this month, as the second annual Willow Gala raised more than $500,000 to aid couples facing difficulties relating to infertility and pregnancy complications. The ballroom sparkled, a step-and-repeat banner welcoming guests while photographers captured Rodón and his wife, Ashley, greeted supporters with smiles. The images made their way to social media the next morning: Yankees players in tailored tuxes and suits, Rodón and Ashley posing with guests, microphones angled for quick soundbites. But as Rodón reflected while discussing his nomination for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, the story behind those photos ran deeper. “It’s an honor, because my wife and I put a lot of time into giving back,” Rodón said. “With the Willow Grant, she’s the quarterback of it all. Every day, I come home from the ballpark and she’s on her laptop, working on foundation stuff. I would say it’s more than just a nomination for me -- it’s for her as well.” The Rodóns founded their charity in 2024, naming it for their daughter Willow after enduring two miscarriages. Their loss gave birth to a mission: To ease the financial and emotional strain for families facing similar struggles. |
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Through the Willow Grant, the foundation annually provides $10,000 to $20,000 in assistance to 25 eligible couples who have experienced miscarriages or pregnancy loss and are continuing to pursue their dream of starting a family. Rodón recalled the weight of responsibility the first time he and Ashley sat down with applications. “Man, this is really hard to choose someone,” he remembered telling her. The couple ultimately awarded more grants than they’d budgeted for, unwilling to close the door on one more hopeful family. In just two years, the program has touched households not only in the New York metro area, but also in North Carolina, South Carolina and beyond, quietly building a community of families connected by grief, resilience and hope. “The fact that they’ve given a platform to it, a voice to it, support it, has been a great thing,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I know they’re doing amazing work and how that foundation has grown over the years. I’m really proud of him and Ashley and what they stand for away from the field.” • VOTE: Roberto Clemente Award nominees revealed |
Rodón is quick to echo that point. “Baseball is baseball. It’s what we do. It’s not who we are.” That sentiment is reflected in his Clemente Award nomination, which each year honors the player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions both on and off the field. “It’s a big deal to be a nominee,” Rodón said. “We all know the kind of player and person Roberto was; he passed away on a plane trying to go help people. I think that tells you what kind of caliber of person Roberto was.” Looking ahead, Rodón hopes to expand the foundation’s mission. One idea close to his heart is encouraging families to embrace the outdoors -- fishing, hiking, playing catch in the yard -- recognizing that healing and growth often come when people put down their screens and reconnect with each other. “For us, it’s a lot more than just being good people and giving back,” Rodón said. "I think our faith has a lot to do with it as well.” |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Joe DiMaggio famously recorded hits in 56 consecutive games during the 1941 season. What was the previous record? A. 38 B. 41 C. 44 D. 47 |
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THIS DATE IN YANKEES HISTORY |
Sept. 18, 1956: Soon to claim the Triple Crown, Mickey Mantle hit his 50th home run of the season, an 11th-inning blast off Billy Pierce of the White Sox at Comiskey Park, powering the Yankees to a 3-2 victory. Mantle went on to finish the regular season with a .353 average, 52 home runs and 130 RBIs. |
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C. 44 Subscribing to his oft-repeated phrase, “Hit ‘em where they ain’t,” Wee Willie Keeler established the previous Major League record by hitting in 44 consecutive games during the 1897 season. DiMaggio passed Keeler with a homer on July 2, 1941, vs. the Red Sox. It extended another 11 games until he went hitless on July 17, 1941, vs. Cleveland. |
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