Mookie and Brianna Betts hosted the first annual bowling event through their 5050 Foundation, with friends, family and fans participating at Lucky Strike in L.A. Live.
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Brandon Gomes, J.D. Martinez and Miguel Vargas were among those in attendance.
“It’s huge,” Betts said of the night to help raise awareness and resources for children in need. “When I initially got here, it was COVID, so I wasn’t familiar with any of the territory. But now that it’s opened up, I’m able to get out and set my sights on where we can help. Kids is our direction.”
The 5050 Foundation has a mission of breaking the barriers that hold kids back, especially when it comes to their medical and financial needs. The Foundation is empowering the next generation to make the most of their lives – and make a bigger difference in our world.
Thank you 🙏 truly to everyone who came out and made this such a fun event ! Also thank you to everyone who helped put it all together! Hope to see everyone at the next one! #5050foundation https://t.co/YtENhbJX6S
— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) February 9, 2023
“It’s something dear to us,” Brianna said of helping children. “We’re big on the youth in the community. One of the things we want to do is give back and give kids chances they may not usually have, whether it’s medical, financial or skillsets in life.”
That the couple would use bowling as the basis for their first charity event was a natural choice.
“Bowling is the first thing I started doing,” Mookie said. “I was doing that before anything else, and honestly it just never stopped. It’s just a passion that I have and am always going to keep.”
Along with a bowling tournament that Betts participated in, the night included a silent auction that featured autographed memorabilia from Sandy Koufax, Tom Brady and more sports icons.
Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez excited to reunite
After winning a World Series together with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, this season is providing another opportunity for Betts and J.D. Martinez to be teammates.
“Me and Mookie go back to 2018 with the Red Sox, and he was a big influence on me coming out to L.A. I’m just here to help support his cause,” Martinez said from the event.
t him and I think he can be something special. He has great tools and great ability.”
Betts added: “Me and J.D. never stopped talking. We always talk and we’re genuine friends. It’s way deeper than baseball.”
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