Misiorowski honors dad with customized cleats to raise Parkinson's awareness

MILWAUKEE -- It’s an hour after Jacob Misiorowski bested Pirates ace Paul Skenes in the Brewers’ 4-2 win at American Family Field on Wednesday, and the 23-year-old phenom is apologizing for getting so choked up.

Misiorowski had just pitched five more scoreless innings in custom cleats to honor his dad, Tom, who has been living with Parkinson’s disease since Misiorowski was in middle school. It’s a difficult topic for the son, which becomes obvious when Jacob’s eyes fill with tears and his voice catches while describing the way dad always stayed involved in a baseball career that is reaching new heights now that the son has reached the Majors.

“It’s close to my heart,” Misiorowski said. “So, the more you can get out there about it, maybe it helps some people down the line. Maybe I can get people to donate to [Parkinson’s research]. It’s taken a lot from my dad, but we still get to enjoy the moments with him, so that’s awesome.”

Tom Misiorowski was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease when Jacob was young, but he still played a prominent role in his love for baseball, from growing up outside Kansas City to Crowder Community College to the professional ranks after the Brewers drafted him in the second round in 2022.

Tom and Crystal Misiorowski were on hand for their son’s Major League debut in Milwaukee on June 12, when he pitched into the sixth inning against the Cardinals without allowing a hit. Jacob followed up by carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning of his subsequent start in Minnesota, fueling the hype ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against Skenes.

Knowing that the game was likely to garner significant interest across the baseball world, Jacob considered it the perfect time to debut custom cleats with his dad’s initials “TM" and the image of a red tulip, which is a symbol of awareness and support for those with Parkinson's disease.

“It’s more just getting the word out and trying to support him through a hard time,” Misiorowski said. “He was all good with it. I’m trying to do everything I can.”

If fans are interested in donating to Parkinson’s research in support of Misiorowski and his father, he suggested the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research as an organization important to his family.