NEW YORK—Free-agent second baseman Gleyber Torres, usually clean-shaven on the baseball diamond, sported a beard at the 15th annual Christian Rivera Foundation Celebrity Gala at Cipriani Wall Street. Notably, he received the “Heroes Award” for his off-field contributions during his seven years with the Yankees.
“I shave every season, but my face gets a little irritated. Right now, it’s just for rest,” Torres explained about his newfound beard.
Torres’ off-field work has been truly remarkable. He has served as a global ambassador for the Special Olympics and mentored children and individuals of all abilities. Torres is particularly remembered for his impact on Zack Schwartz, a young boy battling cancer in 2019.
During that Spring Training, which was Torres’ second year with the Bronx Bombers, Schwartz requested a home run from Torres. Torres delivered by launching one out of the park in his first at-bat. His story further illustrates his impact.
“Do I feel like a hero? No. I just do my little thing off the field, play baseball. You can do special things off the field. Every opportunity I have, I try my best. I’m really glad to help people and do everything I can for kids. I’m always available,” laughed Torres when asked if he felt like a hero on Tuesday.
Torres is available to play baseball in 2025. His career in New York has had its ups and downs. Over seven seasons with the Yankees, Torres boasts a slash line of .265/.334/.441 with 138 home runs and 441 RBIs. He’s been a two-time All-Star, though there were times he was benched for not giving his all on base hits. This past season, Torres shined at the leadoff spot, hitting .283 with a .350 on-base percentage.
When asked about his chances of returning to the Yankees on a scale of 1 to 10, Torres said, “I don’t have a number. I think my agent is doing a really good job right now. I’m literally waiting for the call every day. … Everything is going to different players in different markets. I’m just waiting right now.”
Many noticed Torres stopped following the Yankees on Instagram. He explained that he wanted to clear his social media account, which he doesn’t use often, and focus on his family. Asked if he wanted to stay with the Yankees, Torres said, “I … played here [since] 2018. I had a really good run. They are family. I know everybody in the organization, but it’s a business. I can control only what I can control. Let’s see [where] it’s going to be in the next few months.”
“I think I’m in a good spot. I’m enjoying my vacation. I was at the beach a couple of days ago, and now I’m here to help with a really great event. I’m looking forward to the future.”
