When he joined the Twins in 2023, Pablo López immediately asked to speak with the executive director of the Twins Community Fund -- a precursor to the enthusiasm and generosity Pablo has become known for across Twins Territory. Pablo’s remarkable passion for serving others predated his career in Minnesota, earning him a Roberto Clemente Award nomination during his time with the Miami Marlins, but his unparalleled commitment to the Twins’ community sets him apart as a leader deserving of this recognition. His excellence on the mound has made him a fan favorite and an All-Star, but his impact lies in his extraordinary character. Pablo truly exemplifies Roberto Clemente’s legacy as a fierce competitor on the diamond and a force for good in the community.
Through his “Pablo Day” initiative, Pablo has leveraged his starts at Target Field to bring more than $22,000 of financial support and awareness to local nonprofits representing causes he cares about: youth development, animal adoption, education and children’s health. Pablo’s ongoing support of local children’s hospitals is inspired by his late parents -- both doctors -- and his decision at age 16 to choose between medical school and a professional contract with the Seattle Mariners. Although Pablo pursued baseball, healthcare remains close to his heart. Every September, Pablo honors Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by visiting patients at Children’s Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Pablo is a favorite of patients, appearing on Children’s Minnesota’s Star Studio TV network to play games and teach kids about pitching techniques.
Pablo has also demonstrated a genuine commitment to empowering youth through education. Inspired by his lifelong enthusiasm for learning (evidenced by his medical school acceptance at age 16 and his fluency in four languages), Pablo jumps at every chance to support students. The past three years, he has taken underserved students back-to-school shopping to equip them with the supplies they need to be successful. Pablo has also visited local high school classes each spring to help students practice their foreign language conversational skills.
His support has extended across Twins Territory. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, Pablo volunteered with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties to sort donations and support students in the Twins’ Spring Training home of Fort Myers, Fla., which sustained significant storm damage.
New in 2025, Pablo took the initiative to develop and fund a school supply donation event with a goal of eliminating the supply gap educators are covering out of their personal bank accounts while inspiring kids, specifically students from the Twin Cities’ Venezuelan community, to learn the value of giving back.
Pablo is also a prominent supporter of the Twins Community Fund and its youth development programs. In addition to generous financial support, Pablo lends his time and talents to encourage young people at MTCF programs. Pablo was a speaker at the Twins High School Leadership Academy, inspiring an audience of 100 baseball and softball team captains from across Minnesota. The past two summers, Pablo helped coach young athletes at MTCF’s adaptive wheelchair softball clinic.
Pablo has also been an enthusiastic supporter of the Twins’ first-ever Girls Baseball 14U Nationals Team this summer, welcoming them for an on-field experience and even logging on to watch them compete in the championship game at the Baseball For All Nationals tournament. Pablo frequently inquires about what MTCF is doing and how he can be part of it. His unique ability to connect with young people has made hundreds of Twins Territory youth feel welcome, celebrated and inspired on baseball and softball fields.
Pablo López exemplifies the best of our game on and off the field with his extraordinary character, community impact and commitment to excellence. Through his words and actions, Pablo inspires his teammates, fans and young people across Twins Territory to create a better tomorrow. Pablo’s legacy is only continuing to grow, leaving our community and our game better for it.