BALTIMORE -- The Cardinals are donning powder blue hats and uniforms with the same powder blue script for both of their games this weekend as part of Major League Baseball's league-wide effort to raise awareness for prostate cancer. The initiative was timed to coincide with Father's Day weekend.
Several other items of blue apparel and equipment are being spotted at ballparks across the country this weekend. Players are wearing blue ribbons, blue wristbands and one of two variations of blue-infused socks. Blue compression sleeves, batting gloves, footwear, wrist/elbow/leg guards and catcher's equipment are also featured.
It is the first time that MLB has had players and on-field staff wear special blue attire to mark this weekend. It follows a stretch of more than two decades in which uniformed personnel worn blue ribbons and blue wristbands to bring attention to the fight against prostate cancer.
Commemorative base jewels, dugout lineup cards and the stiches on the baseball are also blue.
The power blue caps and jerseys are available for purchase, and MLB is donating all royalty payments from those sales to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer.
In a separate initiative on Sunday, all 30 teams and broadcast partners will be using the hashtag #MLBDads to share stories of favorite baseball moments with Dads. Fans are encouraged to join the social media conversation, as well.
Worth noting
• On Friday, MLB Network debuted a 12-minute video sharing the impact that legendary Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck had on burn survivor John O'Leary. The piece, which is narrated by Joe Buck, is scheduled to air again Sunday during MLB Network's 5 p.m. CT program. Sunday will mark the 15th anniversary of Jack Buck's death.
• As of Saturday, the Cardinals still plan to have Michael Wacha make his scheduled start on Wednesday. That update came a day after manager Mike Matheny noted that various options were being considered as the club evaluated Wacha's recent struggles. One of those would be a move to the bullpen.
• On Saturday, Chad Huffman drew his first Major League start since 2010. It came in right field after Matheny made the decision to give Stephen Piscotty a day off. Huffman is 2-for-6 as a pinch-hitter since earning his callup from Triple-A Memphis.
• John Gant threw eight scoreless innings and contributed an RBI single in Memphis' 1-0 win over Colorado Springs on Friday. Gant, who had a short stint with the Cardinals earlier this month, retired 13 straight during one stretch and finished with six strikeouts.