Motivated by Tragedy, Tim Anderson of the White Sox Launches Charity to Guide Chicago’s Youth

Tim Anderson, the 17th overall pick in the 2013 draft, is already well on the way to establishing himself as one the top young shortstops in the Major Leagues.  After batting .283 as a rookie in 2016, Anderson began 2017 as the White Sox’ everyday shortstop.

Considering Anderson had focused primarily on basketball at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., didn’t play baseball until his junior year in 2010 and doesn’t turn 24 for another week, he’s come a long way very fast.

Life has been coming at Anderson quickly, too. He lost a close friend in May and that difficult experience has helped him discover the significance in getting involved in his community. With the likelihood that Chicago will be his hometown for the foreseeable future, Anderson recently picked the Windy City as the launching point for his new charity – Anderson’s League of Leaders.

Alongside his wife Bria, Anderson recently visited Parker Community Academy on Chicago’s South Side to launch his new outreach program with the overall goal of steering Chicago kids in the right direction.. The program has teamed up with Youth Guidance, which “creates and implements school-based programs that enable at-risk children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and, ultimately, succeed in school and in life.”

“We were set on doing something with the youth, and since the death of my close friend, it definitely confirmed it,” Anderson said. “We want to leave a major impact on these young kids.”

Anderson plans to meet with the children Youth Guidance is helping twice a month. He will mentor the boys while Bria works with the girls. Anderson also plans to bring the program to Tuscaloosa and help disadvantaged kids in his hometown.

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