HOUSTON (AP) – It’s been three days since Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico and Carlos Beltran still hasn’t been able to get in touch with his parents who live there.
While the Houston Astros designated hitter plays with a heavy heart and prays that his family is OK in the wake of the massive storm, Beltran and his wife, Jessica, pledged to donate $1 million to relief efforts.
Beltran is one of many Puerto Rican major leaguers – Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor, St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina and Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez, among them – who are searching for ways to help their torn island.
“It’s something that needed to be done,” Beltran said. “I think the only way that I can motivate people to contribute and help my country is by me acting the way I act. Right now our country is suffering from a devastating hurricane … I just want to help as much as I can.”
Beltran’s donation comes as he anxiously awaits word about his parents. He’s been in contact with some people in Puerto Rico and has asked them to try and check on his family, but downed power lines and trees have made navigating the island almost impossible.