Helping kids comes easily for Victorino

From a young age, Shane Victorino lived up to his nickname, the "Flyin' Hawaiian."

Racing around his native Maui with self-described reckless abandon as a boy, the speedy Philadelphia Phillies center fielder regularly racked up stitches and trips to the emergency room.

But Victorino -- a World Series champion, two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner -- wasn't simply a rambunctious youngster; he suffered from attention deficit disorder.

"I was hyperactive and full of energy, and a lot of times I got myself in trouble because of that," said the 31-year-old, who still suffers from the condition. "But having the right guidance from the loving parents I had and the community and my teachers helped."

A married father of three who has lived in Las Vegas since 2004 -- when he played for the 51s -- Victorino has made helping underprivileged children the mission of his Shane Victorino Foundation, which has committed nearly $1 million to the cause.

On Sunday, Victorino and his wife, Melissa, a former UNLV basketball player, will host his fourth annual toy drive here from noon to 5 p.m. at PT's Gold (6570 S. Buffalo Drive, near Interstate 215). Those interested should bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event, which benefits the Shade Tree shelter and Toys for Tots.

"I've always had a gravitation toward kids," Victorino said. "The kids are our future, and if I can make an impact on a kid and hopefully change their life for the better, that's what it's all about."

Victorino met Melissa -- formerly Smith -- and his stepson, Keenan, a sophomore football player at Bishop Gorman, at a 51s game. The couple, who reside in Summerlin, also have a 4-year-old daughter, Kali'a, and 1-year-old son, Kingston.

A four-sport star in baseball, football, soccer and track in high school, Victorino turned down a scholarship offer to play football for the University of Hawaii -- where he could have kicked and played wide receiver -- to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who drafted him in the sixth round in 1999.

Mired in the minors for his first five pro seasons, Victorino made his major league debut in 2003 for the San Diego Padres, who selected the switch-hitter in the Rule 5 draft.

But after getting returned to the Dodgers in 2004 and sent back to Double A, a frustrated Victorino considered quitting the game.

"I called home and told my dad, 'I think I'm done,' " he said. "But I went to bed on it that night, woke up the next morning and decided to give it another shot. I had a good game that day, and the rest is history."

After batting only .235 for Las Vegas in 2004, Victorino joined the Phillies organization in 2005 and promptly earned the International League Most Valuable Player award, batting .310 with 18 home runs, 16 triples and 70 RBIs for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

He attributed his turnaround to getting back on the ADD medication he had stopped using after high school.

"After high school, I felt I outgrew it and didn't need it," he said. "My coaches asked me if I took it, and I thought about getting back on it. I saw a doctor a week later, and it was a real turning point. It helped me focus.

"It woke me up (to the fact) this was something that will be with me for the rest of my life."

Victorino has been a key contributor for Philadelphia the past six seasons, batting .279 -- his career average -- last season with 17 homers, 16 triples and 61 RBIs.

The favored Phillies lost to eventual World Series champion St. Louis in five games in the National League division series, their earliest playoff exit in four years.

"Last year was a tough one to swallow because we did have a great team and a special bunch of guys," Victorino said. "It eats at you, but you use it as a driving force to come back next year and do better."

Entering the final year of a $22 million, three-year contract, Victorino said he has no desire to play anywhere else.

"I want to stay in Philadelphia," he said. "If I had a decision to make, I'd stay there for the rest of my career."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.