President of the Dominican Republic H.E. Luis Abinader speaks during the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton New York (Source: Getty)President of the Dominican Republic H.E. Luis Abinader speaks during the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton New York (Source: Getty)

President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader celebrated Christmas in the National Palace with a meeting with past and present MLB stars on Friday night. In the Christmas meeting with some of the biggest sports stars of the country, the President hailed them as community leaders who have the full support of the government. Among the MLB stars present at the meeting were Juan Soto, David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez and Marcell Ozuna.

Photos from the night were posted by Dominican MLB insider Hector Gomez on Instagram:

Speaking to a big host of MLB players and other sports professionals, President Luis Abinader thanked everyone for their presence and called them leaders of their communities. After offering them his full support in their endeavors, the President talked about their role as leaders to aid the government in bringing help to all communities. He specifically spoke about channeling the government’s efforts in educational and sporting facilities across the country.

Also present in the meeting was Minister of Sports Kelvim Cruz, who highlighted the achievements of all present and thanked them for being a source of pride to the country. Some of the other MLB players present were Elly De La Cruz, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jose Ramirez, Yainier Diaz, Camilo Doval, Ronny Mauricio, Hector Neris, Orlando Ventura Peralta and Felix Jose.

Watch: When President Luis Abinader attended the opening of the Arizona Diamondbacks Academy in DR

President Luis Abinader has always been supportive of Dominican players trying to make it to the MLB since he took office in 2020. He showed his support once again when the Arizona Diamondbacks opened their state-of-the-art academy in the Dominican Republic in November.

The President was present with MLB executives and past Dominican players to witness the opening of the Junior Noboa Field in Boca Chica.

The Diamondbacks’ academy features top-tier facilities to help young Dominican players with their development in the hopes of reaching the MLB.