by Lou Hernández
At an age when most people are content with nestling into the golden years of retirement, Jorge Maduro is actively pursuing and promoting a new faith-based Baseball Wellness Program.
After participating in a healing mission at a local church, Maduro decided to come out of retirement and relaunch his personal initiative. “I called my friends and insurance partner and they all agreed to support me to again offer to the people I love and care about all types of insurance products,” Maduro explained.
“Our ‘Cradle to Grave’ program is to support student athletes to help obtain a college scholarship with a chance to play baseball,” described Maduro, 76, the son of famed Cuban baseball empresario, Bobby Maduro, and member of the University of Miami’s Sports Hall of Fame. “My friend Juan Pascual, a long-time youth baseball executive, calls it ‘Conception to Resurrection.’ The player and the parent will have to commit in writing their willingness to live a healthy lifestyle in order to become a winner and champion at the game called life.”
One of the best catchers in school history, Maduro played at UM under legendary baseball coach Ron Fraser and is remembered for playing his junior year with a fractured finger, which was an example of his tenacity and commitment to not only the game of baseball, but to what he also likes to refer to as the “game of life.” After being drafted by the New York Yankees and reaching Triple A level of professional baseball, the tough catcher’s career was derailed by injuries.
Thanks to Jorge’s life-long connections, he expects that former professional big leaguers will certainly be involved as an added treat and incentive for youngsters and their parents. “My understanding of a balanced lifestyle is to be physically fit, mentally strong, spiritually connected, socially active and financially stable,” said Jorge, detailing his mission. “We want to incorporate a combination of baseball fundamentals on the field and technology, using zoom calls and podcasts.”
That’s the message of “lifestyle introspection” that the married father of four hopes to get across to as many people as he can. Joanne, his spouse of more than 50 years, and sons George and Joanathan, along with daughters Jennifer and Jessica are all accomplished professionals and proud symbols of a strong family unit.
And as if his business plate was not full enough, Maduro is also finding time to promote his father’s candidacy for the 2026 Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award, given every three years by the Cooperstown Hall of Fame. His principal goal is to raise enough awareness to Bobby Maduro’s baseball accomplishments, in order to champion nominations for not only the Buck O’Neil Award but also for the Classic Baseball Era Committee, in 2024, ultimately leading to a National Hall of Fame induction for the patriarch Maduro as an executive and Latin American baseball pioneer.
“I also want to advance the ideals and unfulfilled dreams of my father by using the game of Baseball, Art and Music as a way of bringing together individuals, families, communities and countries,” Maduro said.
Contact Jorge Maduro at 305-726-9562 email:jorgemaduro27@gmail.com
