Hitting lesson with Stanton part of charity auction
Funds will be donated to LUNGevity, a national lung cancer-focused nonprofit
SAN DIEGO -- Giancarlo Stanton's impact on the field is often measured by some mammoth-sized home runs. How the Marlins' two-time All-Star right fielder gets himself ready to hit is now being used to make an impact for a good cause.
The Marlins have placed up for bidding a hitting lesson with Stanton that is part of an MLB.com Auction to raise money for LUNGevity, which is the United States' largest national lung cancer-focused nonprofit. Miami put two items up for bid, with the second being an opportunity to be a Bat Boy for a Day.
All 30 MLB clubs are taking part in LUNGevity's initiative to combat cancer by participating in the auction, which was announced Monday at the Winter Meetings.
The bidding is now underway, and the auction runs through 11 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Those taking part in the bidding for the Stanton package have a chance to receive a hitting lesson with the National League's 2014 home run champion and Miami hitting coach Frank Menechino.
Cancer touches so many families, and as a team, the Marlins are no different.
Brett Butler, the club's third-base and outfield coach, has survived a stroke, throat cancer and prostate cancer.
Butler's drive is an inspirational story.
In an interview with MLB.com during the season, Butler spoke about his health issues.
"If cancer doesn't hit you directly, it hits you indirectly," he said. "It's going to affect somebody in your family. Why? Is it the food? Is it the environment? Who knows what it is now. When I had my cancer, I was shocked. I lost my dad to a heart attack. I lost my mother to brain cancer. So there is always an awareness about good health, and being able to eat right and exercise, and make sure you're taking care of yourself, because let's face it, we only get one body."
To Butler, it is about doing your part.
"Don't have any regret in your life," he said. "Live your life to the fullest. You make people aware of the things that are dangerous in their life -- the eating, the lack of exercise, whatever it may be. The foods you are ingesting that are going to be harmful. You try to do your best and bring awareness to other people."