As another academic year begins at his public-private school in Clearwater, Florida, this 83-year-old golfer often thinks about his childhood friend. They both grew up in Puerto Rico.

As teenagers, they became very close and eventually played on the same amateur, baseball team on the island. One was a talented, right-handed pitcher while the other – a pinch-runner – was an agile ballplayer who always hustled around the base path.

The pitcher’s name was Juan Antonio Rodríguez, who one day became an acclaimed golfer where millions around the world still recognize him by his childhood nickname: “Chi-Chi.”

Growing up in Puerto Rico, the pinch-runner also had a nickname too. His family and close friends called him “Momen.”

But today, millions around the world recall his extraordinary life and legacy. He was called “The Great One,” “Arriba” and “Humanitarian,” but honestly, it’s those 21 letters in his full name that will never be forgotten.

For baseball aficionados who saw Roberto Clemente-Walker play, they also heard countless stories about his kindness and generosity toward children. It’s why this legendary Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder was revered on and especially off the field.

Clemente’s Project Became Chi-Chi’s Mission

Sadly, on New Year’s Eve in 1972, on a mercy mission to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua, Clemente’s DC-7 plane, overloaded with much-needed food and medical supplies, crashed off the shores of Puerto Rico.

There are eerie similarities between the lives of the late Roberto Clemente-Walker, then 38, and “Chi-Chi” Rodríguez, now 83. In 1955, Clemente began his Major League Baseball career and would garner every imaginable award, include winning a World Series MVP in 1971. He would be elected posthumously into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 and become the first Latin American inductee.

At the age of seven, Chi-Chi was introduced to golf and eventually won numerous PGA Tour events and tournaments. He would become one of the most flamboyant golfers of his generation. In 1992, he would be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and become the first and only Puerto Rican to earn this distinction.

One could only imagine how two childhood friends reached the pinnacle of their respective careers and be forever linked as Hall of Famers. Their dreams once rooted on a small island in the Caribbean became a reality.

“Forget about how great he was in baseball. He was a greater man. God picks people to do his work. Look how he died? What a way to go. Roberto was picked by God to be the greatest baseball player. I was picked to be the best Puerto Rican golfer,” said Rodríguez matter-of-factly.

Prior to Roberto’s passing, he often spoke to Chi-Chi about building a Sports City – a multi-sport complex (eventually founded by his widow, Ms. Vera Clemente-Zabala) for at-risk children in Puerto Rico. Roberto often encouraged his childhood friend to help mentor children through golf but most importantly, talk about the importance of life skills that are needed in their everyday lives.

The Foundation Then And Now

Forty-seven years since Clemente’s untimely passing, the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation (which funds and governs the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Academy and First Tee Golf program) celebrates their 40th anniversary in Clearwater. Through his philanthropic work, Rodríguez can humbly say he has helped thousands of children through education, mentoring and sportsmanship.

According to the foundation’s mission statement, this not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization was created “to educate students (specifically at-risk youth) in a public-private partnership and improve their academic performance, self-esteem, and character using the golf course as a living classroom.”

There have been some outstanding people who have been impacted by the foundation, including a former volunteer. She began her long-time relationship with Chi-Chi 40 years ago to eventually become the CEO of the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation.

In a telephone interview, Ms. Cary Stiff recalls meeting the foundation’s namesake and admiring his unwavering faith.

“For me, it’s always been his consistency. He said what he meant and meant what he said regarding anything with the children,” Stiff said firmly. “He was always about the adults being at their best when they are with the children and doing their best.”

Chi-Chi’s Kids

Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Todd DeCesare, 49, and his brother was raised by a single parent who drove to Florida with a car filled with clothes and encyclopedias. When he was 12 years old, he was invited by his math teacher (who was also the foundation’s founding director) to stop by the golf course. At that time, the foundation was simply a par-3 golf course, and yet he credited Chi-Chi for helping him become a humble man, proud father and successful entrepreneur.

“You hear all these legendary stories. He was my first celebrity and was bigger than life to me. He was so kind. Not only with his time, but helping put clothes on our backs, look presentable, school materials, and teaching us proper etiquette. It was a dream especially from where I came from,” said DeCesare, an executive protection specialist who founded Pro-Tek by Tiny, a security consultant company. To this day, he is still affectionately called by his nickname “Tiny.”

In 1985, Rodríguez organized with his foundation staff a three-day trip to New York City. Along with his two close friends, DeCesare, who was 15 at the time, were rewarded by the foundation for earning top-grades and DeCesare for being “the hardest worker.” Their excursion included stops at Times Square, Greenwich Village and the Empire State Building but also a memorable trip to Rockefeller Center to meet Laurance Rockefeller who was a dear friend of Chi-Chi and the Chairman of the Board at Chase Manhattan Bank.

“The biggest thing that I learned from the foundation and don’t get me wrong I learned a lot of things, but the biggest thing I took [and carry] for the rest of my life considering what I do for a living is work ethic,” said Todd about Chi-Chi’s determination. “He taught us to work hard and stick with it no matter what. Just do the best you can.”

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Kristina Ortiz, 22, was extremely fortunate to have a father who introduced her to golf at age 3. Ortiz described how she didn’t take it seriously until she was about 7 or 8 and began competing in tournaments. Slowly, golf became her passion, and when she was 11 years old, she won the Puerto Rico Island Championship and was selected to play on the Puerto Rico Junior National Team.

Once she graduated from high school, Kristina’s dream of playing golf on the collegiate level became a reality. She was awarded a scholarship to play golf at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and named the 2018-2019 Sunshine State Conference Woman of the Year.

During our conversation over the phone, Kristina couldn’t help but to switch gears from English to Spanish.

“El es una leyenda y unos de mi héroes.”

“He is a legend and one of my heroes.”

Only 4-foot 11, Kristina Ortiz described meeting Rodríguez in middle school and how he encouraged her from the start.

“The golf ball,” Chi-Chi said, “doesn’t know your size.”

A few months ago, Ortiz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management.

Currently residing in Palm Harbor, Kayla Boivin, 14, attended the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Academy for four years. She lives with her grandma, her brother and precious cat named Cali. She enjoys the companionship with her friends, is quite artistic, loves roller-skating and every summer attends a horse camp in Maine. But Kayla’s grandma, Carol whom she calls, ‘Mema’ has provided unbelievable support and guidance towards both of her grandchildren.

“My ‘Mema’ is supportive and very caring. She really wants me to do well in life,” Kayla said.

This past spring at her graduation, Kayla was awarded a $4,000 scholarship from the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation and will attend high school in the fall. She hopes to one day become a veterinarian or enjoy a career in medicine.

“With the help of the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Academy, I came out of my shell,” Kayla said. “I was no longer afraid to ask questions and with the help of the teachers I was on the honor roll every quarter which really helped boost my self-esteem.”

She added: “I met him a few times. He’s very nice and very inspirational. He puts a lot of his own money and gets donations to keep our school running. And he loves kids. I got the chance to speak a lot with him at a charity event.”

Enduring Spirit

Like the Energizer Bunny, Chi-Chi Rodríguez keeps going, going and going. And with an unbelievable sense of humor, sometimes he admits to arriving at a charity event quite tired. But it’s the children at the foundation that call him “Uncle Chi-Chi,” or “Papa” that immediately jolts this octogenarian into action.

“When they embrace me, my adrenaline starts pumping,” Rodríguez said. “And boy, I feel like Superman.” •