NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Red Sox manager John Farrell is forever grateful that he defeated cancer and was able to return for the magical 2016 season, in which his team won 93 games and the American League East title.
But Farrell doesn't lose sight of those who weren't as fortunate, and he's always willing to help put his name toward a worthy cause.
All 30 teams have donated choice fan opportunities for this year's "Play Ball" auction that is taking place during the Winter Meetings, and one of the Red Sox items includes a meet and greet with Farrell. The auction is live at MLB.com/Shannon until Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
"The one thing I do find after going through this is that when I hear of other people that have been stricken, diagnosed, or whatever, before you'd acknowledge it by hearing it, now I find myself carrying through with something, writing a letter, calling, sending a note," said Farrell. "So many people reached out to me, now it's my repaying of what I received."
This year's auction supports the renovation of an existing youth baseball and softball field, as well as youth programming, in memory of late New York Mets public relations executive Shannon Forde, who died of cancer earlier this year.
The field, which will be renamed "Shannon Forde Field," is in Forde's hometown of Little Ferry, N.J. Renovations to the field will include dugouts with protective fencing and benches, perimeter fencing, bleachers, backstop and scoreboard and field signs.
The three items the Red Sox have submitted for their auction provide fans with opportunities they will never forget.
The first is the "Grounds Crew Experience." The winning bidder has an opportunity for one child (age 6-15) to assist the grounds crew before a game at Fenway. That same fan can also watch the Red Sox take batting practice from the warning track and receives four infield grandstand tickets to the game.
The second item includes a bat autographed by Mookie Betts, the opportunity for four people to watch BP from the warning track at Fenway, and a meet and greet with a current Red Sox player. Four tickets to the game are also included.
The final item might be the most unforgettable. One child under the age of 12 will be able to sit with Red Sox coaches during pregame ceremonies and then walk the lineup card out to the umpires before the start of the game. That package includes the meet and greet with Farrell, plus four tickets to the game and warning-track privileges for BP.