Guitar lessons with Bronson Arroyo, breakfast with Hunter Pence and eight of our other favorite SU2C Auction items
Major League Baseball and Stand Up To Cancer announced their latest initiative on Monday, a unique MLB.com auction of more than 70 memorabilia items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Bidding is open until 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, so let's take a run through some of our favorites, ranked by high bid as of noon on Tuesday:
1. Bus ride with Orioles to a Beltway Series game
What: Opportunity for two fans to ride the team bus to Washington DC for a road game, on field for batting practice, two tickets to game and ride back to Baltimore on team bus.
High bid: $1,600
The upside: A chance to harmonize with Matt Wieters and Adam Jones during inspiring rounds of "The Wheels on the Bus."
2. Breakfast with Hunter Pence
What: One-hour breakfast for you and a guest in San Francisco with Giants outfielder Hunter Pence, including two autographed Pence items and photo opportunity.
High bid: $1,225
The upside: A fiery pump-up speech is part of any balanced breakfast, plus you can probably bum a scooter ride to work.
3. Billy Beane and Bob Melvin experience
What: Four Field Level tickets and on-field batting practice visit for four on a mutually agreeable A's home date in 2013. Batting practice visit features a meet and greet with Sporting News Executive of the Year Billy Beane and American League Manager of the Year Bob Melvin. Also included is a professional photograph taken by the A's team photographer which will be printed (8 ½ x 11) and then personalized and autographed by both Beane and Melvin.
High bid: $1,025
The upside: Step 1: Grab Billy Beane's phone when he's not looking. Step 2: Download fart sound generator app. Step 3: Find Jon Daniels' phone number.
3. Nationals Draft Day experience
What: Opportunity to be in the Draft Room when GM Mike Rizzo and the Nationals make their first-round selection in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft on June 6 and attend that day's Draft News Conference. Also, winner will receive two tickets and dinner in the PNC Diamond Club for that night's game vs. the Mets.
High bid: $1,025
The upside: The look on Rizzo's face when he realizes you swapped his draft card with one featuring your own name.
What: Meet and greet with Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully.
High bid: $875
The upside: Yes, that's his real voice. He uses it all the time.
6. Yankees PR internship for a day
What: Parents can bid on a one-day internship for their son or daughter in the New York Yankees PR department during a non-premium game in 2013 (date to be determined). As an intern, the son or daughter will have the opportunity to spend a day in the Yankees' front office at the new Yankee Stadium and receive a tour of the team clubhouse. Additionally, he or she will be able to personally deliver game notes to Manager Joe Girardi and assist in his daily pre-game press conference. He or she will also be given a mention in the game notes as a guest intern for the day.
High bid: $780
The upside: Your child can learn all the ways to say “fired” in a press release without using the word “fired.” They’ll also find out whether Harold Rubenstein is a real person for just a Steinbrenner family inside joke.
7. Storen and Clippard visit your child's school
What: Opportunity to have Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard visit your child's school classroom and eat lunch at his/her table in the school cafeteria. Winner will also receive baseball signed by Storen/Clippard. Must be within a 30-minute radius of Washington DC.
High bid: $325
The upside: No more eating lunch in the bathroom! Also makes your kid automatic first pick in gym class dodgeball.
8. Bronson Arroyo guitar lesson
What: The winning bidder will enjoy a 30-minute private guitar lesson with Bronson Arroyo.
High bid: $275
The upside: If the lesson goes well, you might find yourself playing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
9. Round of golf with Ian Kennedy
What: Round of golf for one winner and two guests with Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy. The date and course within Phoenix to be mutually agreed upon by the winning bidder and the D-backs.
High bid: $250
The upside: It could be your only opportunity to defeat a pro athlete in an athletic competition. And maybe new teammate Heath Bell will show up in his own golf gear.
10. Home visit from Racing Sausages and Dave Nelson
What: Racing Sausages and former Brewers coach/current TV Analyst Dave Nelson will attend a private party at your home on a mutually-agreed-upon date. This is a one hour appearance and it must be within 30 miles of Miller Park.
High bid: $200
The upside: Perfect for birthdays, weddings or bar mitzvahs. Well, maybe non-kosher bar mitzvahs.
-- Ian Kay / MLB.com