MLB celebrated Mother's Day yesterday. Pink bats have become annual Mother's Day symbols as part of MLB's "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative to raise breast cancer awareness, with proceeds earmarked for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.Think Pink Day was about much more than just pink bats. Players also wore pink wristbands, some wore pink cleats, and the pink ribbon symbol for breast cancer awareness was prominent on all uniforms. Managers made out their lineups on official pink lineup cards.
Nationals celebrated in Arizona**. Adam Dunn, Willie Harris, Nick Johnson and Wil Nieves used pink bats and went a combined 8-for-19 with two home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored. Adam Dunn's pink bat worked doubled time -- his first multihomer game since last July 30.
Manager Manny Acta thanked his mother in a special postcard (you can see other team's postcards as well).
Former Nats paid special tributes. Endy Chavez, now with the Mariners, remembered his sister that he lost to cancer almost two years ago and Jamey Carroll, now with the Indians, honors his aunt and mother.
Click here to see how other teams celebrated.
Fans will play the next big role in this process, because attention will move now to the MLB.com Auction and the gradual arrival of game-used pink bats, home plates, logo bases and lineup cards. Fans also can purchase their own personalized "Mother's Day 2009" pink bats right now for $79.99 apiece at the MLB.com Shop, with $10 from the sale of each one going to Komen.
**The Nationals will honor Mary Eno, Honorary Bat Girl winner, during a pregame ceremony on Sunday, May 17, before the team plays the Phillies. She will have an opportunity to meet with some of the players, and will receive an engraved pink bat and a jersey from Major League Baseball.
Press Release:
The winner of the ‘Honorary Bat Girl’ contest for the Washington Nationals is Mary Eno. Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2007. Determined to beat the disease that had taken her mother 30 years earlier, Mary had a bilateral mastectomy in January of 2008, followed by several months of chemotherapy. Upon realizing that her chemotherapy treatments would begin right around the opening of Nationals Park, Mary worked with her oncologist to ensure she wouldn’t miss Opening Night. A 20-game Season Ticket Holder, Mary was able to attend a few games in 2008, staying for only a few innings each time. Each game she attended made her more determined to win the battle against cancer. She would proudly remove her cap for the National Anthem – even though she had lost her hair. Mary has completed the first phase of reconstruction surgery and hopefully will complete her treatment later this year. She is ready to enjoy the Nationals 2009 season, staying for every pitch and removing her cap to reveal a full head of hair, along with her husband, family and friends who have been so supportive during her battle. Mary’s husband has a tattoo of a pink ribbon, for Mary and everyone who has been affected by this disease, as a reminder to live life one pitch at a time.
