MLB shifted funds from military-themed items to programs that support grieving families of fallen soldiersGETTY IMAGES
MLB often advertises its connections to the military, particularly with themed uniforms around Memorial Day and July 4, but Mets Assistant Dir of Player Development Nick Francona feels that these league efforts "should come with a high responsibility to be clear about the fundraising and respectful with the advertising," according to Kristie Ackert of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Francona, the son of Indians manager Terry Francona and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, "challenged baseball to be more transparent with their veteran programs behind the scenes." MLB VP/Social Responsibility Melanie LeGrande noted that from '08-16, the league's proceeds from the military-themed items "went to the Welcome Home Veterans initiative, which supported mental health, transition and education." Two years ago, in response to what LeGrande said were changing charity landscapes, MLB "shifted focus to more specific programs." MLB last year used funds to "work on a big project with the USO, which will be introduced this summer, and they supported a patient airlift program based at Walter Reed Hospital and the HeadStrong Project." This year, the league "shifted to programs that support grieving families of fallen soldiers." MLB will "donate 100% of their royalties, a minimum of $250,000 each, to Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and Folds of Honor Foundation"(NYDAILYNEWS.com, 5/29).
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED: MLB.com's Jordan Bastian noted throughout Memorial Day weekend, Terry Francona has been "wearing an Army green bracelet around his right wrist." It was "part of a personal project" by his son to "honor fallen soldiers." Other members of the Indians' coaching staff and a "few of the players also had the wristbands." The bracelets "featured the names of soldiers who had some tie to the person wearing it." For example, Francona's "honored Christopher Moon, a baseball star from Tucson, Ariz., who walked away from a sports scholarship" to the Univ. of Arizona to "enlist in the Army." Francona said, "(Nick) researched it and he sent me an e-mail that had the link with every story from every kid. So, we're going to wear them this weekend, get a picture and then send it to the families. Like, I called my family and I just said, 'Are you OK if I do this?' And they were like, yeah, it's one of the nicest (gestures), one of the best things is to get it out there" (MLB.com, 5/28).
