Mother’s Day is not only a dad to celebrate the woman who put up with your antics, fed you and washed your clothes. It is also a day to remember the women who have suffered from the disease that has taken so many mothers from us – breast cancer.
This Mother’s Day, Major League Baseball made strides to support those women who can no longer be here to celebrate their day.
In an effort to support breast cancer research and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, MLB’s players use pink bats stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo annual. They also wear the symbolic pink ribbon, wrist bands, cleats, necklaces and bracelets.
Both organizations also host the Honorary Bat Girl competition to recognize fans who have been affected by breast cancer and have demonstrated an effort to try and eliminate the disease. “The program aims to increase cancer awareness and early detection. Thirty winners, one from each MLB team, will be recognized on Mother’s Day.
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, a cancer survivor himself, is a big proponent of the “Going to Bat Against Cancer” initiative – especially on Mother’s Day. He was a judge in the Honorary Bat Girl competition last year. This year’s panel consists of the Phillies’ Joe Blanton, the Braves’ Jason Heyward, the Angels’ Howie Kendrick, the Giants’ Barry Zito, MLB Network host Chris Rose, former All-Star Nomar Garciaparra, soccer star Mia Hamm and Desperate Housewives actor James Denton. Blanton’s mother passed from breast cancer, and Kendrick’s mom was also affected by cancer. Heyward’s aunt was affected by lung cancer.
Like many profession sports, MLB supports breast cancer awareness and research the best they can, by wearing pink and donating money. However, it seems more apparent that these baseball players are more attune to wanting to help. Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher told MLB.com, “I’ll rock them [pink accessories] during BP, if I get fined, we’ll give it to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.”
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