Toeing the Rubber

This is me with Bronson Arroyo in 2006 at the first New Stars for Young Stars event. My little heart…

In Boston we are fortunate. While so many other baseball towns suffer through the boredom of the off-season, we get all kinds of fun events to keep reminding us that baseball is again just around the corner. One of the more exciting and fun events that going into its ninth, let’s say season, is the New Stars for Young Stars event that benefits the Jimmy Fund. Every year the Red Sox bring a handful of up and coming players (as well as a veteran or two) to Jillian’s just across from Fenway Park for a meet and greet with the fans. Photos are taken, autographs given, and I even once got a kiss from Manny Delcarmen! It’s a great event and I’m happy to help promote it each year. This year, on Saturday, January 11th, along with young’uns like Mookie Betts and Drake Britton, newly signed Red Sox player A.J. Pierzynski will be appearing at the event.

A.J. Pierzynski and I will be in the same building. A few years ago that could have proved to be interesting but this year I’m in my “If I can embrace Jonny Gomes I can give A.J. Pierzynski a fresh start” mode so there won’t be any fireworks from me unless I decide to try and smuggle Mookie Betts home with me.

If you can make it out, it really is a fun way to spend a few hours. But to make sure you don’t get any misinformation, let me give the floor to the Jimmy Fund folks:

Red Sox players to sign autographs to support the Jimmy Fund at New Stars for Young Stars IX

Annual event will benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

 BOSTON – Baseball fans have a chance to meet the newest members of the World Champion Boston Red Sox and up-and-coming minor leaguers on Saturday, January 11 as they sign autographs at the Jimmy Fund’s New Stars for Young Stars IX. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Jillian’s Boston. The lineup includes newly signed catcher AJ Pierzynski, infielder Mookie Betts, pitchers Drake Britton and Rubby De La Rosa, and catcher Blake Swihart. *Players are subject to change.

The event is presented by the Jimmy Fund Council of Greater Boston and features a buffet lunch, sports memorabilia sale, opportunity drawing, silent auction and bowling. Tickets are available in advance for $89 per person, which includes one autograph from all attending Red Sox players, lunch buffet, and one guest ticket. VIP tickets for $250 are also available and include one of the first 30 spots in line, one autograph from all attending Red Sox players for the ticketholder and one guest, a Red Sox Jersey, lunch buffet, one guest ticket and one autograph from each player for guests. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to jimmyfund.org/new-stars or call 1-800-52-JIMMY. All proceeds from the event go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.

The Jimmy Fund (www.JimmyFund.org) solely supports Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. This year celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Jimmy Fund and Boston Red Sox relationship, and represents one of the most remarkable partnerships between a team and a charity in the history of professional sports. The Jimmy Fund is also the official charity of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children’s Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejimmyfund and on Twitter: @TheJimmyFund.