… an estimated 182,460 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2008 alone.
Last year, about 200 Major Leaguers swung away with the Pink lumber provided by Louisville Slugger. I’d expect that that number will be even higher this season.
Home Run Derby loves this effort. And so, for the third season in a row, Home Run Derby will go Pink. We’ll be making our annual pledge to the Komen Foundation - $10 per Home Run hit in MLB this Sunday (Mother’s Day, May 11, 2008) whether it’s hit with a Pink Bat or not. And since Nick Swisher dyed his soul patch pink … we’ll up that pledge to $25 for every Home Run hit by Swisher on 5/11/08.
Last season, we donated $280 to the Komen Foundation for the 28 Home Runs hit on Mother’s Day 2007. In 2006, we donated $150 - we only pledged $5 per Home Run and there were 30 hit that Mothers Day 5/14/06.
So last year on July 8th 2007, the White Sox ponied up and did something they don’t usually do. They signed a pitcher to a sizeable long-term contract.
Buehrle deserved it. He was HUGE in their World Series Championship run (2005) and an overwhelming fan favorite. He was on the frickin Wheaties Box. And even with all the contract speculation (read: distraction) in the first half of 2007, Buehrle was having a very good season for the White Sox.
Buehrle Pre-Contract 2007
G
CG
W-L
IP
ERA
K9
BB9
HR9
17
2
6-4
115 2/3
3.03
5.45
1.71
1.01
Not to mention the No-Hitter he threw on April 18, 2007. When you take into consideration the offensive woes and pitiful bullpen the White Sox had in 2007 … it’s even more impressive.
But since he signed the contract … like many players who get the big payday … Buehrle hasn’t been so great …
Yesterday, Mark Ellis provided some tenth-inning fireworks in Oakland as the A’s completed a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles. With the score tied, Ellis - who had entered the game riding a .024 average in May - tagged the left field foul pole for the win. The A’s moved to 22-14, tied for the most wins in MLB.
What the heck happened to the Orioles anyway? On April 29th they were 15-11 and led the AL East by percentage points. Since then they’ve gone 1-7, falling to 16-18 and 5 games back of the Red Sox in the AL East cellar. Things move pretty fast - heck Cub fans are wondering if Brian Roberts is available again.
Yes, I know … someone will say that I should have given the HRoD to the Twins’ Carlos Gomez, who hit for the cycle yesterday against the White Sox - and I would have if his Home Run completed the cycle or really factored into a close game instead of the blowout that it was. HRoD’s are better if there’s some drama attached to them.
We’ve mentioned it before … but I’ll say it again. Home Run Derby’s favorite employees at a Major League Baseball Stadium have always been …
Beer Vendors.
You know - the Unsung Heroes of Baseball. The guy that lets you stay in your seat during that crucial half-inning even though you’re dying of thirst. Or because you have to buy because you just lost a round of “pass the cup.” Or if you’re like me - you want someone to BRING you your $7.50 cup of watered-down beer.
So here’s to you … Beer Vendor Guy. You’re like a US Postal Worker … except you always deliver something we want.
You know … sometimes you’re not sure which vendor is coming up the aisle. You’ll never have that problem with this beer vendor from Jacobs Field (oh - wait … Progressive Field) in Cleveland.
You won’t go broke pandering to the fans. Watch as this vendor from old Busch Stadium in St. Louis does just that … while ripping on the visiting arch-rival Cub fans.
For the third Mother’s Day in a row, Major League Baseball will be partnering with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Research by allowing players to take their whacks with Pink Bats while wearing Pink Ribbons, Pink Wristbands, Necklaces, etc..
Entries (RSS)