When a renowned pitcher decides to do more than just throw and give back to his neighbourhood, the effect isn’t about his ERA or strikeouts. It’s about bringing the community back to life. This isn’t another narrative about an investment story. It’s about giving back to where it all started. And one at the center? An ace who shone on the mound for 11 teams during his amazing 21-year career, including the Mets and the Yankees.

When you go from washing dishes as a teenager to getting million-dollar paychecks, it’s amazing. But putting that success back into the place where you started? That’s remarkable. And “Big Sexy,” a moniker given to him by teammate Noah Syndergaard in 2015, just did that.

Bartolo Colon just decided to make $10.5 million investment in his community. He shared this great news on his X account, writing, “Today marks a very special moment in my life. Growing up in Altamira has made this community forever close to my heart. I thank God for giving me the strength and blessings to make this dream a reality. I am deeply grateful to my wife, Paula, for her unconditional support, to my family and friends for always being by my side, and to everyone who worked tirelessly to make this project possible. Parada El Túnel is a place born from love, tradition, and dedication, and I am proud to share it with my community.”  

What dream is he talking about? Colon has spent more than RD $65 million (about $10.5 million USD) to completely transform Parada El Túnel, a historic wayside diner in Altamira, into a modern hotel and restaurant.

Working with his wife, Paula Colon, and business partners, Grupo Colon Vargas, the project covers an astounding 917 square meters of building and has more than 4,000 square meters of total area, including plenty of parking.

But this is where Colon’s narrative comes full circle. It was not just a chance to make money, but also to return home after many years. Colon said during the opening ceremony, “This place is part of my life story. I worked here when I was young, and in 2017, thanks to the fruits of my career, I was able to purchase it. Today, that dream has become a modern and welcoming space that preserves our traditions while providing quality service to travelers.”

Wensy Bautista, the management representative, effectively highlighted the project’s overall significance. “This project is a declaration of love for our land. When you love where you were born, you invest in it, create opportunities, and contribute to its growth.”

The Parada El Túnel will be more than just a halt along the route. It aims to be a cultural and food hub that attracts both locals and tourists, while focusing on Altamira as a lively place to visit.

This big endeavor comes from over two decades of amazing experience in baseball. Colon’s journey includes becoming a star player for the Mets, a contributor for the Yankees, a champion for the Angels, and a veteran for 11 different teams, laying the groundwork for today’s community investment.

Reflecting on the 21 years of career on the mound

Bartolo Colon’s 21-year MLB career was legendary. He went from being a child in Altamira who washed dishes to a world-class pitcher. Colon made his debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1997 and soon rose to fame, becoming an All-Star by 1998. He pitched more than 3,400 innings, won 247 games, struck out 2,535 batters, and had a solid 4.12 ERA.

Colon had his best year with the Angels in 2005. There, he won the American League Cy Young Award, led the league in wins, and made the All-Star team again. He was an All-Star four times (1998, 2005, 2013, and 2016), and he also led the league in complete games, shutouts, and walks per nine innings.

Further, he became the all-time winningest Latin American pitcher in MLB history in August 2018, when he won his 246th game, passing Dennis Martínez. And his time with the Mets was a great one. He has a 44-34 record and a 3.90 ERA in 98 games with the Mets from 2014 to 2016. He guided the team to the 2015 World Series. He also became the oldest player (42 years, 349 days) to hit his first career home run, which was a sign of his strong will.

Bartolo Colon is more than an exceptional baseball player. He has turned his childhood job into a modern meeting space, honoring his roots and contributing to community growth.