PHOENIX, AZ (April 22, 2008)-On April 29, Major League Baseball (MLB) Umpires Laz Diaz, Wally Bell, and Mike Winters visited with pediatric patients at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Organized by BLUE for Kids, they offered words of encouragement and distributed Build-A-Bear Workshop stuffed animals to children coping with serious illness. The visit to Phoenix Children's Hospital was the first of twelve hospital events scheduled by MLB umpires in 2008.

Media Coverage
Umpires give kids a 'bear'-y happy day
By Mark Thoma / MLB.com


Event Photos
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Comments
Comments from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) employee Troy Hansen who participated with the umpires. Troy shared these words in a letter to fellow BMS representatives and we think it summarizes the event rather well.

Hello John and Peggy:

I wanted to tell you of my experience this past Tuesday at the Phoenix Children's Hospital. I was able to join Samuel Dearth who represents BLUE for Kids, as well as three Major League umpires. With the help, in part from a BMS grant, BLUE for Kids secured Build-a-Bear stuffed animals for children who were residents at the hospital.

MLB Umpires Laz Diaz, Mike Winters, Wally Bell and I were able to visit several floors of the hospital and bring some smiles to the children. It was really an awesome experience to see these kids light up when they were handed a stuffed animal. They then got to select from several choices an outfit to go on the animal. If even for just a brief moment, these children felt good and whatever illness or pain they were subjected to, drifted away in the softness of a new friend. Their eyes told the story and the expressions on their faces will be engraved upon my mind for a very long time. The umpires were very compassionate and caring with the children. And although in their profession these umpires need to be tough and firm, they were truly gentle giants.

I am so grateful for this opportunity. It makes me count my blessings every day. Thanks for allowing me to participate. I had a great time. Thanks Peggy and John. And my thanks go out to Samuel. He did an outstanding job and kept us organized and on track. - Troy Hansen

Special thanks from the Umpires to:

• Wendy Pauker and Allison Bell of Phoenix Children's Hospital. You both were incredibly helpful in creating a wonderful experience for everyone.


• Troy Hansen of Bristol-Myers Squibb for taking time out of your day to help create a memorable experience for children coping with serious illness and injury. Big League BLUE Reach presented by Bristol-Myers Squibb. As always, a huge thanks to Peggy Carroll for your role in identifying BMS representatives to assist at each event.
• Participants of the Get Stuffed and Pass It On program who raise donations for stuffed animals distributed at each of the hospital events.


• John Ralph, Christie Cowles, and Mark Thoma of MLB.com for your time and interest in sharing such a wonderful story with MLB.com viewers.


• Mark McClune of FSN Arizona for your time and interest in sharing this story with Fox Sports Net viewers.

Labels: ari, bell, bms, comer, diaz, mlb, reach, winters

Major League Baseball (MLB) Umpires Bob Davidson and Sam Holbrook visited pediatric patients at Johns Hopkins Children's Center on April 13, 2007. They offered words of encouragement and distributed Build-A-Bear Workshop stuffed animals to children of the Johns Hopkins School Age Medical Surgical Unit. Bob and Sam were assisted by Kerri Chase of Bright Start Learning Center, Heather St. John of Market Connections, Inc. and Andy Young.

Annie Woods, Child Life TV & Special Events Coordinator for Johns Hopkins sent the following in a letter to the group:

Dear Bob, Sam and Wonderful Volunteers:

I cannot tell you how much we appreciated your visit to Johns Hopkins Children's Center to enhance the experiences of our 4th floor patients and families. You were so flexible, generous, sincere and personable in your interactions with the children and families.

Bob's humor and warmth and Sam's gentle and patient understanding partner fabulously. As a pediatric clinical staff member, I know that this experience is what we always hope for when guests like you come to visit our patients; I hope that this provides you with a foundation for many future similar experiences, as I know children in hospitals across the country would benefit from and enjoy your visits.

I hope you will consider us anytime you come back into town and that you enjoyed this experience as much as we did!

Thanks again! Sincerely,

Annie Woods (Broadway, to Bob)
Special Events and Child Life TV Coordinator

Labels: bal, davidson, holbrook, reach

Major League Baseball (MLB) Umpires Bob Davidson and Sam Holbrook visited pediatric patients at Johns Hopkins Children's Center on Friday, April 13, 2007. Here they share a few minutes with AJ. Looking good buddy!

MORE PHOTOS: Big League BLUE Reach - Baltimore
PRESS: MLB.com article about event

Labels: bal, davidson, holbrook, mlb, reach