Gerrit and Amy Cole have given back to the communities in their previous two major league stops. Now, they are jumping into the COVID-19 crisis with a “significant investment” through The Gerrit and Amy Cole Foundation.
The foundation will make donations to Direct Relief, an organization that coordinates with public-health and non-profit organizations, to provide personal protective equipment and essential medical items to health workers responding to COVID-19. The foundation also will invest in New York City-area hospitals.
According to Cole, the idea for the foundation was discussed months ago, and living in the New York area led to its activation.
“Being close, being within arms-length of this with everybody in the tri-state area so heavily affected we wanted to jump in and help as much as we could,’’ Cole told The Post on Thursday. “It will be rolling along in the next couple of days as far as contributing to New York [area] as the crisis evolves we kind of evolve. I trust the people who are in charge of these foundations to get what we are giving them exactly where it is needed the most.’’
Cole was 11 years old, a Yankees fan living in Southern California during the Sept. 11 attacks and attended the 2001 World Series between the Yankees and Diamondbacks in Phoenix and mature enough to understand New York’s reaction to the disaster.
“I remember the response New Yorkers had that year, it was inspiring to all of us. It seems like whenever there is a national crisis New Yorkers rise to the challenge,’’ said Cole, who signed a nine-year deal for $324 million contract this winter and now makes his permanent home in the area. “New Yorkers lead our nation because they are tough and resilient. It’s part of the reason why Amy and I wanted to be part of New York. It has touched every part of the country but being here at the epicenter there is a different sense of urgency.’’
While no player can replicate what they do in spring training, Cole has devised a program to help him be ready if a second spring training is started ahead of a season that may or may not be held.
“Since I have been able to stay on regimen, I am in solid shape. My routine, obviously has changed from how it was in spring training,’’ said Cole, who spends time cooking, “walking and lifting.’’
And throwing.
Shortly after spring training was suspended, Amy Cole, a former softball player at UCLA, posted a video on Instagram of her and Gerrit throwing in their yard. The two are expecting their first child this summer.
“Keeping my arm in shape, playing catch with [Aaron] Boonie, [Adam] Ottavino and [bullpen catcher] Radley [Haddad],’’ Cole said. “Staying on my regimented workout routine here at my residence. Being able to stay in that routine has been beneficial. Trying to keep the pilot light on like other players and being as ready as we can be when we are called back to being able to play.’’
Asked if he thought that will happen, Cole said, “I hope so. I certainly hope so.’’
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Without a clubhouse in which to interact with teammates, Cole has stayed in touch with his and said those talks have helped.
“Being in contact is all part of how we are dealing with this and I am definitely trying to keep the communication up,’’ Cole said.
And doing what everybody should be doing.
“We are hunkered down, staying home and practicing social distancing and praying for better days to come,’’ Cole said.