TORONTO -- José Berríos has always wanted Toronto to feel like home, not just the city he plays baseball in.
Parts of this are more public and obvious, like the seven-year, $131 million extension he signed just months after being traded to the Blue Jays in 2021. Other parts are personal to Berríos, like the work he’s done through his El Dream project, which is back for its second season after raising over $340,000 (CDN) in 2024.
The project works to help youth in Puerto Rico through Berríos’ La Makina Foundation, but has also established roots in Toronto and across Canada through its partnership with Jays Care Foundation.
“This is something I’ve always had in my heart, to be there and help people, families and kids,” Berríos said. “We’ve got the best group to make that happen with our foundation and El Dream. [I want to] give back what God has given to me so far. I’m from Puerto Rico and I’ve been able to help a lot of people back in [Puerto Rico], but also, Toronto and Canada is my second home. My family and myself feel really comfortable, happy and grateful to be here. My family, myself and my team, we need to be involved and bless our people here in Toronto, Canada.”
Berríos has become one of the organization’s most public-facing players, working with Jays Care as an ambassador for Girls At Bat, Challenger Baseball, and RBI. In the coming weeks, Berríos and El Dream will host events and auctions to help raise more money in 2025.
“Last year was the first year and we found that it was great. We enjoyed it,” Berríos said, “and we saw the support for the kids back home and here in Toronto. Now, we feel more comfortable to keep doing it and do more. With the Blue Jays and my foundation, we’ve been able to do a lot of good things for those people, and I thank God we are able to do it. We’ve been enjoying it. For me, it is a pleasure.”
When Berríos landed in Toronto, it was difficult to believe he was just 27. The respect he’s earned around the league comes in part from his “La Makina” persona, the ultimate model of consistency built on his legendary workouts. It’s who Berríos is away from the field, though – mature, thoughtful and well-spoken – that places him in such high regard.
Berríos is also fiercely proud of his Puerto Rican heritage, holding a deep respect for the players who have come before him.
“This means a lot. I come from a little island, but we are able to give a lot to good people,” Berríos said. “To be a Puerto Rican, but also being in a new country in Canada where I’m playing and competing at the best level of baseball, for me it’s an honor and I am grateful. Life is more than baseball. Obviously, I enjoy my sport and my game, but outside of that we are still human beings and people.”
Berríos is quick to rattle off more names, too, like Carlos Delgado, Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltrán. There’s a tradition among these great Puerto Rican players, something Blue Jays fans saw up close during Delgado’s great seasons in Toronto. You can hear in Berríos’ voice how proud he is to be part of this, which he traces all the way back to his childhood.
“Everything started at my home. My principal, my dad, my mom, my brothers, but also the people I had around me,” Berríos said. “I had great people who have helped me in my career so far. I’m a baseball player and in Puerto Rico, every baseball player knows about Roberto Clemente and what he did on the field and off the field. How he impacted people off the field, that’s motivating. We try to be -- not the same -- but close to him and what he did.”
Part of Berríos calling Toronto home has been the presence of his family, too, including his three children. They know their father is a baseball player, but through this work, he wants to show them that his impact off the field is just as important.
“For me, that’s the most important thing. I don’t know if they’re going to be a baseball player, a doctor or a lawyer, but I know that they can be great people. That’s what I’m teaching them and showing them. Just be a good person and be there for other people.”