Renewed Hope: Re-Signing Andrew Toles
In the competitive world of professional sports, where triumphs and headlines often dominate, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, more profound gestures that speak volumes about compassion and humanity. This week, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a move that might not grab many headlines, but it certainly touched some hearts.
The Dodgers organization renewed the Major League contract of their former outfielder, Andrew Toles. By the way, Toles hasn’t played in a Major League game in nearly six years and will likely never play again as mental illness has overwhelmed his life.
So, by renewing his contract, the Dodgers ensure that Toles will continue receiving the necessary health insurance for his treatment.
According to his family, Andrew has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and is unable to care for himself.
A 2021 USA Today report says Toles had been admitted to at least 20 mental hospitals and had been homeless numerous times.
The Andrew Toles story is a story of enormous talent, potential, and a bright future. Unfortunately, mental illness changed that storyline.
He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 and quickly made an impact, becoming a minor league all-star and the Rays’ Minor League Player of the Year.
Yes, the future looked bright. But in 2014, Toles left the team for “personal reasons,” missing two months of the season, and was released by the team in 2015.
Toles resurfaced with the L.A. Dodgers in 2016 and again showed flashes of brilliance, showcasing that undeniable talent. However, in 2019, the struggles returned, and Toles left the Dodgers and returned home. He was put on the MLB restricted list.
While he hasn’t played since 2018, the Dodgers have still kept him on the payroll so that he can access the team’s insurance. This week, the Dodgers extended his contract for a sixth consecutive year.
According to statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately one in twenty adults in the United States experiences serious mental illness each year. Furthermore, exacerbating this crisis, Medical Health America (MHA) reports that over 5 million adults with mental illness lack health insurance coverage.
Renewed Hope: re-signing Andrew toles
Andrew’s father, Alvin, has gained legal guardianship of his son and brought him back to Georgia to live.
Alvin spoke to USA Today about his son’s daily challenges, saying, “It’s just so tough. He can’t even watch T.V. He hears voices and T.V. simultaneously, so it’s confusing. I’ve seen him looking at some baseball games on his laptop, but I don’t think he understands what’s happening.” And he added, “I just want my son healthy again…because this is heartbreaking for everyone.”
It is indeed a heartbreaking story.
By helping Andrew Toles, the Los Angeles Dodgers have gone beyond the game and reaffirmed the power of compassion. In doing so, they’ve reminded us that sometimes, the most profound victories are won not on the playing field but in the boundless depths of the human heart.
