Bahamian professional baseball player Antoan Richardson, who will forever be remembered for his involvement in one of the more iconic plays in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, is back home in The Bahamas for a short stint, and he made sure to pay a visit to his alma mater where he came bearing gifts.
Richardson, the sixth Bahamian to ever play in the major leagues, capitalized on the opportunity to give back yesterday, as he donated gifts to four deserving students at St. Anne's School in Fox Hill, where he graduated 15 years ago. He said that he always cherishes the moment to come home and visit the Anglican school where he got his early education.
"I'm just thankful for this opportunity. It's always a pleasure to give back in any way that I can. I'm a part of the Blue Waves nation, and this blue runs through my veins. To come back here, and give back to this institution that I am very proud is something that I will always do. I encourage all professional athletes to do the same. Any time you have a chance to come back and encourage the young people, you should do that. It's the right thing to do, and it is a good feeling."
Richardson's first words were in recognition of the teachers who played an instrumental role in his life.
"I always like to take moments like these and recognize the teachers. They are so instrumental in the development of young lives," he said. "I have never been a teacher but I could only imagine how difficult it must be. Those lessons mold us for life. Thank you to the teachers for believing in us when we don't believe in ourselves. As students, we spend a lot of time with you guys and you really play an important part in our lives. I really don't think you guys get enough recognition and credit for what you do."
Richardson encouraged the students to be as well-rounded as possible.
"I was fortunate to be a good athlete and get a scholarship and go on and play professional baseball, but I don't discount the fact that I was able to be a very good student," said Richardson. "It's about putting the effort in, in the classroom, to be in the position to obtain further education and create opportunities for yourselves. It's also important to be involved in the community, and to branch out and do different things.
"Don't be afraid to go out there and try a sport. You'll never know what you're good at until you give it a try. It's really important to get involved with different things and figure out what you like to do."
As for the fortunate students who received the gifts, they were fifth graders Shiloh Bullard and Savannah Knowles, ninth grader Simone Hanna and 10th grader Omavi Collison. Richardson presented them with tennis shoes, backpacks and sweat suits, all made possible through his endorsement with athletic footwear company New Balance.
"I have to thanks to New Balance for coming on board and endorsing me. They encourage their athletes to give back to their respective communities, and it's something that I enjoy doing," said Richardson. "Hopefully, we could do this for years to come."
Richardson, who also donated banners around the St. Anne's campus, said that the four deserving students were identified based on their display of school spirit.
"The purpose of today's exercise is to identify and recognize a portion of the student body that represents St. Anne's academically, athletically, and throughout the community, and not necessarily in terms of the best athletes or smartest students but those who are giving the effort in a lot of areas to be the best that they could be - those who embody the spirit of St. Anne's."
Even he himself still exemplifies the school spirit, as Richardson said, to this day, he still says the school motto each time before he takes the field in his games. He sat out almost the entire 2015 season for the Round Rock Express and AZL Rangers - two affiliate teams of the Texas Rangers. In 13 games for those two teams this season, he batted .216, going 8-for-37 with six runs scored and two RBIs. He will always be remembered for scoring the game-winning run in Derek Jeter's last at-bat at Yankee Stadium though.
In the Yankees' final regular season home game in 2014, legendary shortstop Jeter, the Yankees captain, laced a single through the right side of the infield, and pinch runner Richardson scooted home from second base to give the New York Yankees a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. In his 13 games with the Yankees in 2014, Richardson finished with five hits in 16 at-bats for a .313 batting average. He scored twice, drove in one and stole five bases. He was a part of four walk-off victories for the Yankees in the final month of the 2014 regular season, scoring the game-winning run in two of those victories. It is the highlight of his 11-year professional baseball career.
"More than anything else, the excitement that it brought to my family and the country was a thrill for me," said Richardson. "To this day, people remember me for that moment. That's what makes me more proud than anything else - how Bahamians have embraced that moment and are holding on to it. It's good to know that baseball is alive and growing in The Bahamas and that I was a part of that."
The moment itself, Richardson said, is a humbling one for him.
"To be a part of the greatest franchise in sports history, and a part of a play that will go down in Yankees history as one of the most memorable is an unreal feeling, and then to share it with one of the greatest players of all-time, is an awesome feeling. It's an out-of-this-world experience," said Richardson. "When I look back on it, I cherish that moment, no doubt about it. It was all about scoring and sending the captain out a winner. It's a surreal feeling to be a part of that."
Richardson said that not playing this year because of the injuries was difficult pill to swallow, but he's looking forward to making a return to the field in 2016.
"Right now I'm just hopeful that it could only make me fresher for next year," said Richardson. "I'm hoping that I could start running in January and be ready for spring training in February. The goal right now is just to get healthy. The Rangers embraced me and helped in the rehabilitation process so I definitely appreciate that."
Richardson was signed by the Texas Rangers to a minor league contract last December, and invited to spring training. However, because of injuries, he was only able to play 13 games for the Round Rock Express and AZL Rangers this year. He is looking forward to the 2016 season.
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