Pirates pitch in with pair of auction offerings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Pirates will take part in a Winter Meetings charity auction that will help raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
Major League Baseball, MLB Advanced Media, MLB Network and all 30 clubs will offer unique experiences and items, putting them up for auction with the majority of the funds benefitting Stand Up To Cancer. The Pirates have two experiences up for grabs: a chance to meet manager Clint Hurdle and watch a Pirates game from a suite, and batting lessons with hitting coach Jeff Branson.
This auction initiative has raised nearly $500,000 since its inception four years ago and a significant portion of the proceeds from this year's event will go to Stand Up To Cancer, a longtime partner of Major League Baseball, its founding donor in 2008. In addition, this year's auction will benefit Do It For Durrett, in honor of the late Texas Rangers ESPN.com reporter Richard Durrett, who passed away suddenly last year, and the YouCaring page established for Miami Marlins Sun Sentinel beatwriter Juan C. Rodriguez, who is currently battling a brain tumor.
The auction will run on MLB.com until 9 p.m. ET on Thursday. Among the other unique items up for auction are a lunch with Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, a chance to meet broadcaster Vin Scully, the chance to watch a Giants Spring Training game from the dugout, a Spring Training fishing trip with Rays manager Kevin Cash, a tour of the 9/11 Museum with former All-Star John Franco and a chance to brew beer with Twins closer Glen Perkins.