The boys returned home to their respective villages for the first time in almost 2 years…

They were greeted in each village by several thousand people and media, and received a real hero’s welcome.

Rinku was able to see the house that he built with his contest winnings for his family and Dinesh was able to build a real bathroom outhouse for his family, and also was able to buy them some farming land.

here are some pictures from those two days.

The boys asked us to thank all their fans, their teammates, the Pirates, the media, and MLB for the chance to play baseball.  It is an opportunity that has transformed not only their lives but also the minds and hearts of many young men in their villages…

For this they are truly grateful, and they look forward to getting back to Pirate City next February to continue their journey.

Dinesh’s Home in Khanpur

Dinesh’s Grandma Blesses the boys

Parade Leading up to Dinesh’s Village

Crowd and Media Mob the Boys

Rinku’s New Home

Rinku’s Village Mobs the boys

Rinku Addresses the Media

Dinesh, JB, & Rinku

CLICK THIS LINK TO GO TO THE SITE TO PURCHASE!!!!

http://www.mountedmemories.com/Pittsburgh-Pirates-_-1250849132_PG.html?searchType=3&search=rinku%20dinesh

Rinku and Dinesh are trying to raise some extra money to bring back to their villages for their families.

As everyone has heard, they live in villages with no running water, telephone, electricity or plumbing, and their families work very hard as farmers to support themselves.

The boys’ goal is to help their families build new houses, and they also hope to build a baseball field in each of their villages for all the boys to play and train… And of course, every little bit helps.

100% of of what the boys make will go back to their villages, and one dollar is about 50 Ruppees in India.

The boys have asked me to thank all their fans for their support throughout their journey so far…  They love America, and they love the people they have met here.  They feel like this is a country where life is like a dream, and you can do anything.  They are grateful, and humbled at how they have been received by the team, league, players, media, companies, and fans everywhere!

They know they have a long way to go… but they promise to do their best to make their families and their countrymen back in India proud.

They have teamed up with Mounted Memories to make these historic signed items available for fans to be a part of this great baseball story…

Two items available:

Dual signed 8×10 photo inscribed by both guys with the date of their first pro appearance - 7 - 4 - 09.

Dual Signed baseball with both boys inscribing their jersey numbers.

The Boys Historic Timeline

Prior to February 2008 neither boy had ever seen a baseball or even heard of the sport.

March 2008, they are selected as winner of the first Million Dollar Arm Contest

May 5, 2008 - They begin to train at USC with legendary pitching Coach, Tom House

Nov 5, 2008 - Rinku and Dinesh have their first tryout in Arizona

Nov 24, 2008 - They both sign with Pittburgh Pirates

Feb 1, 2009 - They report to Pirate City

July 4, 2009 - They both pitch an inning, as Rinku became the first Indian to appear in a pro baseball game in the USA, and the following inning, Dinesh became the first Indian to strike out a batter (equivalent of taking a wicket in cricket).

July 13, 2009 - Rinku became the first Indian to record a Win in a pro baseball game

August 13, 2009 - Dinesh became the second Indian to record a Win in a pro baseball game

Dinesh’s Stats - http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=573652

Rinku’s Stats- http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=573653

These are Topps Chrome sig cards fans have a chance to get in packs…

Upper Deck and Tri Star also will have base and signature cards in their products this year.

Photos courtesy of Josh Nadreau & the GCL Pirates.

 

These are picture of my friends of me and Dinesh on Pirates team.

We having players from all over world.

The letter reads:

To All Indian Baseball Coaches and Players,

 

Before we enter contest of Million Dollar Arm, we not even knowing what the Baseball is.

 

After our training in America we have come to love the game and know many Indian boys would be liking this game as well if they playing it.

 

We asking Million Dollar Arm to help us send this letter to all coaches and players in India telling them dream in Baseball is possible.  Baseball is great game, and in America having job as athlete is best kind of work.

 

We are hoping you all keep training hard, and all of you do well in second contest so more Indian boys coming America to join us pitching here.

 

Thanks you to everyone who helping making the Baseball popular in India and giving Indian boys and girls chance to be playing this game over there.

 

Good Luck and Train Hard,

 

and again i pitched on monday against toranto blue jay for 2/3 inning.  they say i did very good this time too.  i did not give any run.  no hits.  one strike out and one fly out.  we won the game.  that was my first win they tell me.   so i was very happy but more happy just team winning the game.

This very good day.  Our team winning 2 game today.  I pitching one guy with men on bases loaded.  I striking guy out and ending inning helping team winning.

they say i first Indian ever getting win.  I am happy team doing good today.  Our team is very good guys.

I now wanting we winning more games.  winning is good feeling for team.

Email Rinku and Dinesh at Fanmail@themilliondollararam.com