Tigers get involved in Haiti support

Tigers get involved in Haiti support
Cabrera, Ordonez make donations to aid relief efforts

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

01/22/10 7:21 PM EST

DETROIT -- Two of the Tigers' biggest stars are opening their hearts and their wallets to help support the relief effort going on in Haiti, and encouraging others to do the same.

The team announced Friday a donation of $100,000 from Magglio Ordoñez to the American Red Cross to help their Haitian relief work following last week's devastating earthquake in the Caribbean nation. In addition, slugger Miguel Cabrera donated $90,000 to Project Medishare for Haiti, Inc., which provides medical expertise after the disaster.

The Tigers added a $10,000 donation to the same charity, making the total donation $100,000.

The announcement of the donations came on the eve of TigerFest on Saturday at Comerica Park, where the club is encouraging fans to make their own donations.

Representatives from the American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan chapter will be at the gates to the ballpark Saturday to collect donations. The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, will match those donations up to $10,000. The Tigers, too, will donate part of the proceeds from their fan photo exhibit at TigerFest.

The move is not a surprise for Ordoñez, who has quietly shown his charitable side and world awareness in recent years. He made news last summer when, after his wife was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery, he cut his famously long hair and auctioned it on eBay to raise money for Imerman Angels to provide support for cancer patients.

"The people in Haiti need our help," Ordoñez said. "I'm asking Tigers fans across the country to join me in supporting Haiti after this tragedy."

Ordoñez, a native Venezuelan, is a past Tigers nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award for service on and off the field. He also set up a college scholarship to help deserving high school seniors from Detroit's Mexican Village continue their education.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.