As a former All-Star and 12-year big leaguer, Jack Wilson no doubt understands the impact a small gesture can have on young fans. Now as the father of burgeoning A's star Jacob Wilson, an All-Star in his own right, the elder Wilson is still doing his part to spread goodwill in the game.
Jack Wilson, who played for the Pirates, Mariners and Braves from 2001-2012, has been vocal about sharing positive messages with Jacob, and that kindness isn't limited to the Wilson family text threads.
On Thursday, Jack wrote in a post on X that whenever he goes to A's games in Sacramento, he brings a few autographed Jacob Wilson baseball cards to gift to kids donning shirts or jerseys with his son's No. 5.
He also shared a video of his good deed. This time, though, he enlisted daughter Jaidyn to do the honors for the first time this season after he spotted a boy wearing a No. 5 Athletics T-shirt hanging out with his friend. After a brief chat with the young fans that leaves one of them with mouth agape, Jaidyn handed the boy in the Jacob Wilson shirt one of the cards.
But what she doesn't see as she turns around to walk back toward Jack Wilson is the sheer jubilation -- two boys literally jumping for joy -- from a simple act of generosity those kids will remember forever.
We know baseball is the best, and this is just another reason why.