Major League Pedro Martinez pitcher will conduct a mini-clinic for area students.

DPR Contact: John Stokes, (202) 288-7275

WASHINGTON, DC – Mayor Vincent C. Gray, the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), city officials and diplomats will host eight-time All Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner, Major League pitcher Pedro Martinez on Thursday, March 24th at 3:00pm. Mr. Martinez will greet students from area schools and conduct a mini-clinic. The event will take place at Maury Wills Field, 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW.

Mr. Martinez has played for the Boston Red Sox (including in 2004 when they won the World Series), the NY Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies. He, along with his wife, Carolina Cruz de Martinez, are both very committed to promoting the health and education of young people. His visit with the District’s children and youth will inspire and engage youngsters to develop and stick with healthy habits including plenty of physical exercise during and after the school day. In their native Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Mr. Martinez and his wife serve children and youth through two foundations - the Pedro Martinez and Brothers Foundation and the Power in Learning Foundation.

Mayor Gray states, “I am proud of Pedro’s accomplishments. As much as he had discipline and a passion for baseball, he is just as passionate to ensure youth receive quality education as well as engage in safe, physical activities for a healthy lifestyle.”

While in the District, Mr. Martinez will also attend the unveiling of a portrait of himself that has been acquired by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. His will be the first image of a Major League Baseball pitcher in the Gallery's collection, and he is the youngest baseball player included in the collection. Pedro achieved another important milestone in his career in 2006 when became an American citizen.

• In case of rain, the event will be held at Cardozo Gym on 1300 Clifford Street, NW.

ABOUT THE PEDRO MARTINEZ AND BROTHERS FOUNDATION AND THE POWER IN LEARNING FOUNDATION

The Pedro Martinez and Brothers Foundation was created in 1998, in Boston, Massachusetts, by Pedro and his brothers.

A strong believer in education and opportunity, Pedro and the foundation provided funds to some of these programs, helping schools and programs to acquire necessary materials. Schools like the Riverview School and programs like Youth build Providence were recipients of such help. In recent years, the Foundation has also helped in the healthcare area, assisting several hospitals with special surgeries for children with medical issues such as heart conditions, tumors and leukemia. Two years ago, the Foundation partnered with the International Kids Foundation in Miami, and has also assisted the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in NYC.

In 2008, the foundation initiated the after school program, "Power in Learning"(Hay Poder en Aprender) being directed by Carolina Martinez. This program began with 100 girls in the neighborhood of San Miguel Manoguayabo, promoting and encouraging girls in these academic excellence in Mathematics, Spanish reading and writing, as well as arts, science, self-esteem and values and youth leadership among adolescents and young people participating in various activities. The second phase of the project had a strong focus on economic development by providing microcredits to 40 families, youth leadership, and integration of local schools through the quantum learning, among others. Now, "Power in Learning" stands with over 400 boys and girls from the ages of 5-17 years of age. We focus on 4 main components: social, cultural, spiritual, and educational.

The final project, currently being developed and of which "Power in Learning" is the pilot program, the Pedro Youth Academy and Ballpark. It's vision: for youth and families around the world to be inspired to become their greatest self; to have boundless opportunities and to hit a home run in the ball park of life. The overall mission of the Pedro youth academy and ballpark is to create academies and ballparks throughout the Dominican Republic and beyond that provide the opportunity for this generation and generations to follow, to explore, develop and reach their full potential.