When a young man receives a big paycheck, you would expect him to spend most of it on a party with friends, right?
But Pavin Smith decided to do something exceptional. The 21-year-old first baseman, who was Major League Baseball’s (MLB) seventh overall draft pick, had just signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The signing comes with a substantial $5 million bonus.
With Christmas just around the corner, Pavin could have easily bought a car or a new house for himself. He could have gone all out and had a wild party to celebrate his professional career! Instead, he decided to do something more meaningful and selfless. Pavin used part of his paycheck to pay for the balance of his parent’s entire home! They will never have to worry about making another mortgage payment again.
On Christmas Eve, Pavin handed his parents a letter. The note includes words from Robert William Service’s 1912 poem Home and Love:
Pavin then wrote, “Thank you for raising me in a great home filled with love. Because of all the sacrifices you made to get me where I am, I want our family home to be yours.”
While reading the letter, the magnitude of Pavin’s gift slowly dawns on his mom. “You can’t do that,” she said amid happy tears. His parents were understandably overwhelmed with emotions and struggled to finish reading the letter.
Despite the generous gift, Pavin said it doesn’t even begin to make up for everything that his parents have given him. “Thank you for everything you have done for me! This doesn’t make up for any of it. Love you both so much. Our home is finally all YOURS. Merry Christmas!”
Based in Jupiter, Florida, Pavin attended Palm Beach Gardens Community High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He played for the school’s baseball team as a first baseman and pitcher. In 2008, he participated in the Babe Ruth League’s Cal Ripken Major 70 World Series, where his two home runs helped his team beat Mexico in the World Championships. In 2014, the Colorado Rockies selected him in the 32nd round of the MLB draft, but he did not sign.
Pavin enrolled at the University of Virginia to play college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball team where he distinguished himself with game-winning hits and homeruns. He made his professional debut with the Hillsboro Hops, a minor league affiliate of the Diamondbacks.
His parents have supported him all the way and Pavin has done his best to return his parents’ love and support. Pavin caught his parents’ reaction to his Christmas gift on video: