Nelson Figueroa captivated much of New York last year with his long-awaited arrival in the Major Leagues. But Figueroa and his family are focusing on the story of another ballplayer, Ricky Stone, and you should, too.
The Stone family details the story in a blog that they have created. Stone has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and many of his fellow players have contributed to the cause, providing memorabilia for an auction to raise money to help the family. The auction, which will be part of Ebay's Giving Works, will feature some Mets items such as an autographed Johan Santana practice jersey and a pair of autographed Jose Reyes' spikes.
It's a great cause and a great chance to find a great item for the fan in your own family. The press release for the event follows below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DEREK JETER, A-ROD, DAVID ORTIZ, ICHIRO, DAVID
WRIGHT, JOHAN SANTANA, GRIFFEY JR., AND JIM THOME ARE AMONG MORE THAN
100 MAJOR LEAGUERS DONATING TO AN ONLINE MEMORABILIA AUCTION TO BE HELD
THIS WEEK TO BENEFIT A FORMER MAJOR LEAGUER STRIKEN WITH A MALIGNANT
BRAIN TUMOR
Two large boxes from the New York Yankees arrived at the Chandler,
Arizona, home of Alisa and Nelson Figueroa on Tuesday, September 23,
2008. They were filled with autographed Yankees jerseys, baseball
caps, and baseballs, their donation to Rally for Recovery, an online
auction being held to benefit 33-year-old former National League relief
pitcher Ricky Stone who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in
August.
They were a signed at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, September 21st,
the day the Yankees played their last game at the House That Ruth
Built. The jersey Derek Jeter signed was one of the jerseys he wore
that last day. Included were signed jerseys of A-Rod and Mariano and a
number of signed caps including one signed by Yogi Berra who was at the
Stadium that day to say goodbye.
Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Ichiro, David Wright,
Johan Santana, Ken Griffey, Jr., Jim Thome, Ryne Sandberg, Jeff Kent,
Jose Reyes, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Quentin, Mark Belhorn, John Smoltz,
Brad Ausmus, Joe Nathan, Adrian Beltre, and Roy Oswalt are among over
100 baseball players donating to an online memorabilia auction to be
held this week to benefit 33-year-old Ricky Stone, relief pitcher for
Astros (2001-2004), Padres (2004), and Reds (2005, 2007), who was
stricken with a malignant brain tumor in August 2008.
In May 2008, Ricky Stone was signed by Taiwanʼs Uni-President
Lions in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He suffered an
injury in Taiwan and he returned to the United States. After Ricky had
a Grand Mal seizure, it was discovered that he had a malignant brain
tumor. Nelson Figueroa, who pitched for the New York Mets in 2008, had
pitched for the Uni-President Lions in 2007. His wife Alisa and Erin
Pote, wife of Lions pitcher Lou Pote, founded Rally for Recovery to
raise funds for the Stone Family.
Other highlights of the auction of signed baseball memorabilia
include a selection of game used items: a catcher mask worn by the
Astros Brad Ausmus, a cap worn by Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt, a bat used
by Red Sox 2nd baseman Mark Belhorn during Bostonʼs 2004
World Championship season, spikes worn by Padres shortstop Khalil
Greene, and a baseball used in practice by Mets pitcher Johan Santana
before his 3-hit shutout on the next to the last game at Shea Stadium.
Also, jerseys signed by Ryan Howard, Andy Pettitte, Ichiro, and Miguel
Tejada, spikes signed by Jose Reyes and David Wright, bats signed by
Ken Griffey, Jr., Jim Thome, and Morgan Ensberg, caps signed by Jeff
Kent, Mike Mussina, Jorge Posada, and Joba Chamberlain, bobbleheads
signed by Roy Oswalt and Adrian Beltre, and dozens of single signed
baseballs. A 2008 All Star Game ball signed by 26 All Stars and a
Cincinnati Reds team signed bat and helmet will also be auctioned.
Please take a look at Rally for Recovery. This
sports memorabilia auction will benefit former Major League Baseball
player, Ricky Stone, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in
August 2008.
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