Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star shortstop Mookie Betts and his wife, Brianna, hosted his second annual “Smash for Good” pickleball tournament on Thursday, June 18, at the Griffin Club in L.A.
The event was hosted by Matt “McNasty” Manasse, who curated the live matches and entertained the public throughout the evening’s festivities.
“I was told we might do bowling this year,” Manassee told the crowd. “Mookie is a bowler, we love bowling. But if you were here last year, you saw that Mookie got second place. Like Michael Jordan, he took that personally. So, we’re all back here at The Griffin Club, second year in a row, and we’re going to see if we can give him a little redemption.”
All proceeds went to the 50/50 Foundation, which was founded by the Betts. Since the inception of the 50/50 Foundation in 2021, the charity has created opportunities for underserved youth by leveling the playing field through sponsorships and providing critical resources for many sectors that otherwise would not be afforded these chances.
“Just create opportunities for kids that they may not have,” Betts told DodgerBlue.com. “We focus on the four pillars, which are mental and physical health, nutrition, and then financial literacy. Things that we feel like all kids need.”
Betts also shared why he decided to focus his charity on providing kids with the resources and information they need to be successful.
“I was one of those kids, and my dad really provided all these things for me,” Betts said. “When I was a kid, I got to grow up, I would say, in a good household with these opportunities, and I saw how important it was, as I got older, especially. So that’s kind of it, knowing how good I had it, I really just want to give it to the next generation of kids.”
“Smash for Good” was presented in partnership with Parker-Anderson Enrichment, a leader in after-school programming across L.A. and Ventura County.
For over 25 years, Parker-Anderson has brought the most diverse selection of educational and enrichment programs to more than 1,000 schools, recreation centers, and city programs. They focus on hands-on learning, fitness, and nutrition, and are dedicated to helping students build healthy habits and grow into the future leaders of their communities.
“We’re proud to partner with the 50/50 Foundation because we share a commitment to helping young people thrive,” director of programs and philanthropy Remy Bourlier said in a statement. “Through 50/50’s family nutrition workshops and community programming, we’ve seen the impact of this work firsthand. This partnership allows us to expand that impact and reach even more families.”
Along with the pickleball tournament, the event had food and drinks for the guests, photo opportunities with the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies, music, and both a silent and live auction.
Dodgers and celebrities attend Mookie Betts pickleball event
Among those in attendance were teammates Alex Call, Alex Vesia, Alex Freeland and Will Smith, along with actors Cooper Tomlinson, Simu Liu and Nicolas Cage, and NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens.
“It’s great to be here,” Tomlinson said. “I wish I was better at pickleball, but I’m glad that everybody’s having a good time, and it’s for a good cause.”
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