Context:

Baseball Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman and former MLB All-Star Ryan Klesko will manage the Dick’s Perfect Game All-American Classic, featuring the top 60 high school baseball players in North America. The event, debuting in 2003, has seen numerous future MLB stars, and this year’s game is set for August 17 at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. Hoffman, excited to don a uniform and engage with the young talent, emphasizes the unique opportunity to share his experiences with them. Klesko credits similar events for his own career success and looks forward to guiding these athletes through their next steps. The event also includes philanthropic efforts, raising over $1.5 million for Rady Children’s Hospital, highlighting the holistic impact beyond the sports field.

Dive Deeper:

• Trevor Hoffman and Ryan Klesko are set to manage the Perfect Game All-American Classic, which showcases top high school baseball talent in North America, providing them a platform to display their skills on a national stage.

• The All-American Classic, since its inception in 2003, has seen many future MLB stars like Bryce Harper and Francisco Lindor, with over 850 out of 1,126 participants being drafted, and 293 making it to the first round.

• Hoffman, with 601 career saves, is excited about interacting with young players, sharing insights, and encouraging them, emphasizing the different feel of engaging in uniform during batting practice and games.

• Klesko, attributed his own MLB success to similar youth events, and is eager to assist players with navigating their career paths, focusing on giving advice based on personal experiences rather than dictating actions.

• The event's philanthropic aspect includes a visit to Rady Children’s Hospital, with players and families encouraged to raise funds, contributing to over $1.5 million in donations, enhancing the event’s impact beyond sports.

• Coaching staffs for the event include several former MLB stars, creating a rich mentoring environment for the young athletes, with Hoffman highlighting the opportunity for these veterans to impart their wisdom and experiences.

• The event also features a parent symposium to prepare families for the upcoming year, covering topics like the draft and college decisions, ensuring a comprehensive support system for both players and their families.