El Paso Chihuahuas reveal Player for the Day, Dream Day

El Paso, TX, May 17, 2018 – It was a Dream Day unlike any others as the El Paso Chihuahuas revealed their Player for the Day, 11-year-old, Malakhi Olvera. Dream Day is a special day where one lucky child gets to suit up with the El Paso Chihuahuas and experience being a player for the day.

Malakhi Olvera is not your ordinary 11-year-old boy by any standards. Although only 11, Malakhi proves to be an extraordinary young boy whose smile lights up a room and whose positive charisma inspires others.

“We first met Malakhi during his stay at Providence Children’s Hospital (PCH),” said Rod Barajas, Field Manager for the El Paso Chihuahuas. “Travis Jankowski, Outfielder now for the Padres, went to visit the pediatric patients, something he often enjoys doing, and came across Malakhi. He was impressed by Malakhi’s upbeat demeanor, even as he was receiving treatment at the hospital. It was that encounter where we knew we found our star player.”

Malakhi has had a difficult road the past two years, as a gastrointestinal illness has required him to have 13 hospital stays at Providence Children’s Hospital.

“Malakhi is an extremely positive young boy and although he has faced challenges with frequent hospital stays, he never lets anything get him down,” said Gloria Jaloma-Portillo, Malakhi’s Mom. “He always knows he is in good hands with the PCH nurses and always looks for his favorite nurse, Laura. Malakhi couldn’t believe when he got to meet Travis during his hospital stay.”

As Chihuahuas Player for the Day, Malakhi will have an evening filled of baseball fun to include team warm-up, first pitch, game broadcast announcing and spending time with the players. His family will enjoy the festivities and be there to cheer him on.

“It’s a rewarding day for us to get to be a part of something so special for such an incredible child." said Nicholas Tejeda, Market CEO for The Hospitals of Providence and CEO for The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus and Providence Children’s Hospital. “It is inspiring to have observed and been a part of Malakhi’s journey from our hospital to the baseball field. He is ready to take on the world.”