Baseball has a way of bringing people together, not just in victory but also in remembrance. This fact was on full display as baseball legend Alex Rodriguez stepped on the mound at the University of Miami’s baseball stadium. But this time, it wasn’t bout competition— it was about honoring a promising, young athlete whose life was tragically cut short.

A-Rod was at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field to throw the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the high school matchup between Columbus High School and Westminster High School. However, this was more than just a pre-game tradition; it was a tribute pitch to Ari Arteaga, a baseball player from Columbus High, who lost his life in a car accident in 2018.

Alex Rodriguez took to Instagram stories to post about this pitch and also shared a heartfelt caption along with it.

A-Rod shared, “Honored to throw the first pitch at the @univmiami in memory of Ari Arteaga 🙏.”  Even after all the years, this recognition must have meant so much to the loved ones of Ari. Speaking of his loved ones, Ari Arteaga was the son of University of Miami pitch coach and former Hurricanes star, J.D. Arteaga.

A car crash near Southwest 87th Avenue and 64th Street tragically ended Ari Arteaga’s life at just the age of just 16. He had lost control of his car and collided with a power pole. His unfortunate passing deeply affected the entire baseball and sports community in Miami.

Ari wasn’t just a brilliant baseball player—he was a force on the football field too. Making his mark as a key player for the Columbus High School football team. Indeed, his spirit and passion represented the sports culture in the city.

Now the New York Yankee star never played for the Hurricanes, but he has been a longtime supporter of the program. A-rod also has ties with the Miami baseball team. He played in Little League before heading to Westminster Christian School. But for Alex Rodriguez, Miami isn’t just where he grew up—it’s the city that made him into the man he is today.

Alex Rodriguez’s deep ties to Miami

Alex Rodriguez may be one of baseball’s biggest names, but before all the popularity, he was just a kid in Miami with a bat in his hands. How much does one really know at that age? But he had one person who believed in him, someone who was his mentor, Eddie ‘El Gallo’ Rodriguez. They had first met at the Hank Kline Boys & Girls Club, and now, in fact, A-Rod credits Eddie ‘El Gallo’ as being the one who shaped his entire career.

A-Rod once shared, “No one’s had a bigger impact on my career than Eddie ‘El Gallo’ Rodriguez. He was my first coach at 9 years old and stuck with me through 23 years in the MLB. He’s proudly served the clubs for 52 years and saw 25 players make it to the big leagues. Grateful to be mentored by this living legend.” Not everyone finds a great mentor to nudge them in the right direction, but A-rod was lucky in that area.

And get this, Rodriguez wasn’t always a Miami resident. Rodriguez and his family moved to Miami when he was in fourth grade. From that moment on, baseball became his world. And while baseball may be his first love, just like Arteaga, football wasn’t far behind. In fact, Rodriguez once said that in Miami, the Miami Dolphins are practically a religion. For him, Dan Marino was a legend. And he was so inspired by him that when A-Rod joined the New York Yankees, he picked No. 13! It was in honor of Marino and shows how much he values his Miami roots.

A-Rod isn’t just someone who talks about giving back—he actually does it. Over the years, he made sure to support Miami’s young athletes. Mainly by serving on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Plus, he even donated $3.9 million to renovate the University of Miami baseball stadium. The University of Miami renamed its baseball stadium as Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, recognizing his generosity.

A-Rod may be a polarizing figure in baseball, but one thing is for sure—he shows up. He shows up for his friends, his city, his coaches, and everyone he cares about. What do you think about A-Rod’s connection to his hometown? Let us know!