Milwaukee Brewers All Star second baseman Rickie Weeks has adapted to the challenges of playing at baseball’s highest level to become a highly productive player. At the same time he is hitting homeruns for the community by remembering his roots.

Since hitting his stride on the field in 2008, Rickie Weeks has compiled an impressive list of community projects, including the following:

Since 2008, Weeks has financially supported the \”Rickie\’s Rookies\” ticket program, which provides hundreds of tickets and t-shirts to youth groups and organizations throughout Milwaukee and the state.

Participated in the Fatherhood Initiative trip in May, where he hosted fathers and their children on a one-day trip to Minnesota from Wisconsin to take in a game and reinforce the importance of parenting.

Served as the Honorary Chair for the American Diabetes Association Black Tie Gala in May, helping ADA to raise over $160,000 towards diabetes research.

Supported the American Diabetes Association through a special ticket offer in which fans received an autographed Rickie Weeks bat for each ticket purchased. Proceeds benefited the ADA, raising over $14,000 for diabetes research.
Hosted a bowling event in August for the Beckum-Stapleton Little League, which primarily serves African American youth.
Donated $5,000 for scholarships for Milwaukee-area children whose families face financial barriers to attending schools or colleges.

Continued to provide a shuttle van to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee to transport youth to various programs offered by the Clubs.

This activity was recognized with Rickie Weeks’s acceptance of the Brewers’ 2010 Michael Harrison award for community service.

Of course, Major League Baseball is a bottom line business, and none of Weeks’ community service would have drawn attention without success on the field.

Rickie Weeks was a college phenom, leaving Southern University in 2003 with a .500 batting average and a series of awards including the Dick Howser Award, the Golden Spikes Award and the Baseball America Award, all for college player of the year. The Brewers chose Weeks second overall in the 2003 draft and gave him a $3.6 million signing bonus.

Rickie Weeks first came to the majors at the end of the 2003 season, but did not become a regular until 2005. He even returned to the minors in 2007 when a wrist injury contributed to his batting average dipping below .200.

As he recovered from his injury, Weeks greatly reduced a wiggle of his bat that may have caused his bat to slow down as it approached the hitting zone. That adjustment led to a major improvement in Weeks’s performance, a long-term contract from the Brewers, and attention for all his good work in the community.

By 2010, Rickie Weeks led the National League in plate appearances and at bats, slugged 29 homers and scored 112 runs. He also showed his commitment to his team’s success by leading the league in getting hit by pitches, increasing his on base percentage.

The Brewers rewarded this success with a five year deal for $46 million, including an $11.5 vesting option in 2015. Weeks made his first All Star Game this season to round out his all star credentials in the community.

With his brother Jemile off to a great start as a rookie second baseman with the Oakland A’s, Regal is expecting to see two Weeks brothers as all stars on the field and in the community before much more time passes.

Author Bio: Paul Hirsch is a writer for ; Regal Black Mens Magazine The publication focuses on ; African American Community News Politics Sports Health The magazine features a ; Local Online Classifieds & Job Classified Black Business Directory Visit to read about ; Rickie Weeks

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