The heartwarming details in Cubs’ Players’ Weekend apparel
Across Major League Baseball, this mid-August weekend is an opportunity to stray away from the monotony of a long season.
And it’s a great chance to showcase the noble foundations and charities that are important to players.
As part of MLB Players’ Weekend, major leaguers are able to use customized cleats and bats that show off their hobbies or support causes.
[Donate today to Cubs for a Cure]
Like Jameson Taillon, who has two different sets of custom cleats.
The first is a fun one for his hobby – coffee.
Partnering with Soles by Sir and the Cubs, the veteran right-hander has a pair of cleats that are actually dipped in coffee and smells like coffee.
[MORE: Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg shares great news in battle with cancer]
Then there’s the heartwarming pair, featuring the names of children who are fighting cancer.
“I just met Isaac. He’s fighting lukemia,” Taillon told Elise Menaker in an interview. “For us to remember why we’re doing what we’re doing. Sometimes it feels like maybe a little far away – we’re doing these fundraisers and stuff. And when you meet kids actually fighting and going through treatment, it makes it a little more powerful.
“I got to work with the Cubs on putting this together. These are the names of adolescent kids fighting cancer. Just super powerful and maybe if they can see their name on some cleats on a big-league field, that can really mean something to them.”
Taillon himself is a cancer survivor, battling testicular cancer in 2017 when he was with the Pirates.
[WATCH: Jon Lester reflects on his battle with cancer]
He felt lucky as it was only about 5-6 weeks between when he was diagnosed with cancer to the time he returned to a big-league mound.
“For a little bit, I was almost a little ashamed because I caught it so early and I was lucky to have access to such great doctors right away,” Taillon said. “But then as I’ve gotten older and I’ve heard other people’s stories, I’ve connected with a lot of people in the cancer community who say, ‘I lost my dad to cancer and we used to watch your games’ or Cubs games or whatever.
“It’s like now I represent the cancer community on the baseball field. And I know you guys on the broadcast share my story a lot and stuff and for people sitting at home, I hope it’s some sort of inspiration. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve just become a little bit more proud of being a flag-bearer and carrier for the cancer community.”
[WATCH: Ian Happ grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness for cancer research]
Justin Steele – the Cubs’ starting pitcher on Saturday – has a custom pair of cleats that features some “Toy Story” references for his son, Beau.
Like Taillon, Patrick Wisdom has two sets of cleats – one in support of St. Jude’s designed by a girl battling brain cancer and then another dipped in wine (one of Wisdom’s hobbies).
Javier Assad has a pair that has the Mexican seal and a reference to his team in Mexico.
Mike Tauchman has custom bats featuring his dog and calling for support of adopting pets.