Most of those gloves came from Missouri, where Martinez organized several glove drives, including one at the Chesterfield Mall. One person donated 150 glove. Some of the gloves came in the mail, and this winter Martinez sent a signed picture with a letter to thank as many who donated that way as possible. His hometown hosted an event to distribute the gloves, and in front of a banner with his foundation’s logo the mayor spoke about the local boy coming back to give to the next generation. Martinez also passed out TOPPS cards.

“Kids go crazy for those cards,” said Martinez’s agent, Brian Mejia.

The gloves went to each youth league: three or four outfield gloves, three to four infield gloves, a first baseman’s glove, a smaller glove, a catcher’s mitt, and a lefthanded glove or two.

“When I got my first glove,” Martinez said. “I cherished it like it like it was my last."