Former Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman helping two teens achieve their college dreams

Article content

A former Toronto Blue Jays all-star is stepping up to the plate for two teenagers.

Marcus Stroman, who currently pitches for the New York Yankees, knows a thing or two about passion and is awarding $25,000 US scholarships to a pair of New York students he sees that trait in.

Elani Wyatt, 18, from Equality Charter High School, and Geurys Florentino, 18, of Monsignor Scanlan High School, were not only awarded the scholarships – which will cover their freshman-year expenses – but also were honoured at Tuesday’s game between the Yankees and Cleveland Guardians.

“I was so overwhelmed with happiness. I never expected this for myself. Me and my family were basically all crying together,” Wyatt told the New York Post.

Florentino grew up in Edenwald Projects in Eastchester, which he described as “a dangerous environment,” but focused on his education and baseball to keep himself out of trouble.

“Coming from a single-parent household, the ability to pursue my education and take a little bit of hardship off my family is a blessing that I do not take for granted,” Florentino said.

Stroman said he saw the same passion in Wyatt and Florentino that he had while growing up in Medford, N.Y.

“When you put in the hours around something you’re passionate about, you end up chasing a goal that will be able to give back to you for your whole life and doing something you love,” Stroman told the outlet.

“I really don’t believe in overnight success. You truly have to find what you’re passionate about and put in the work and the hours in order to be successful,” he added.

Stroman, a two-time all-star, attributed his work ethic to his father, who was a police detective. “My dad had me working way more than any other kids. My confidence comes from the work.”

Stroman’s hard work landed him a scholarship to Duke University in 2009.

“Having a Duke scholarship played a major role in my life being able to give back,” he said. “Helping kids attend their dream schools to help further their development in their life is something I’m grateful to be in the position to do.”

Wyatt will study architecture at the New York Institute of Technology this fall while Florentino will attend Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., studying business administration and sports management.