Growing up a die-hard Pirates fan in Pittsburgh, Mason Miller always had a special place in his heart for Albert Pujols. While Pujols’ legendary career boasts over 700 home runs, 3,000-plus hits, and multiple MVP Awards, it’s his character off the field that truly inspires Miller.
In 2005, during his first MVP season, Pujols founded the Pujols Family Foundation to support individuals with Down Syndrome, a cause close to his heart as his daughter, Isabella, was born with the condition. Miller, now a standout rookie closer for the A’s, never forgot how Pujols used his fame for humanitarian efforts.
Today, Miller is following in Pujols’ footsteps. Diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes at 20, Miller has become a beacon of hope for families of children with diabetes. As his profile rose this season, especially after being named the American League Reliever of the Month for March/April, Miller embraced his platform to make a difference.
During a recent 10-game road trip through Seattle, Houston, and Kansas City, Miller made time to meet with diabetic children at each stop. These personal encounters happened during batting practice, where Miller connected with the kids and their families on the field.
“I just try to show them I’m a real person,” Miller said. “It’s as meaningful to me as it is to them. Being diagnosed at 20, I didn’t face the same childhood challenges they did. But being a role model for them is a cool moment for me.”
In Kansas City, 9-year-old Hudson Crutchfield from Oklahoma met Miller at Kauffman Stadium. Miller signed a baseball for Hudson, who then gifted Miller with a drawing of him pitching a 103-mph fastball.
In Houston, Miller connected with 8-year-old Shepherd, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at six. Miller signed a baseball, took photos, and chatted with Shepherd and his father before pregame warmups, even bringing some A’s teammates to meet Shepherd.
At T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Miller met 13-year-old Wyatt, a fellow Type 1 diabetic and baseball player from Portland. Their conversation covered baseball training and goals, making a significant impact on Wyatt, who later went public about his diagnosis on social media.
via: Instagram
“That was a cool thing for me to see,” Miller said. “It warms my heart. Everyone has self-image concerns. I was initially self-conscious about my diagnosis because it was new to me. But it’s part of who you are, not your entire identity. Good people will accept you for who you are. Wyatt’s mom is great and supports him immensely, challenging him to take ownership of his condition.”
Miller plans to expand his outreach efforts, looking forward to impacting more young lives.
“It’s a dream for me just to be here playing,” Miller said. “Being able to do this for them is a bonus.”
via: https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/mason-miller-raising-awareness-for-children-with-diabetes
