Jonathan Papelbon left the group Saturday to donate $25,000 to blood cancer research. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)
VIERA, Fla. — A couple of days after Jonathan Papelbon was traded to the Nationals last summer, he satisfied a woman named Whitney Klinke, the Director of Donor Progression when it come to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an company devoted to finding a cure when it come to blood cancers. Both began talking regarding the foundation, and Papelbon located just what he called “a suitable fit.”
“It simply works. when it come to so several years I was a section of so several various charity occasions and charities,” Papelbon said. “Now it’s simply type of cool to have actually something to position your name on.”
Papelbon left the group Saturday to fly to the 29th Annual Leukemia Ball in D.C., where he and his wife Ashley announced a donation of $25,000 to LLS. He donated $50,000 to the company last September, a gift intended to recognize previous teammate Jon Lester and Red Sox manager John Farrell — the 2 of whom battled blood cancers — amongst others.
“when it come to the longest time, the last 12 years, I’ve been looking to be associated with something,” Papelbon said. “It simply type of fell in my lap as soon as I came to D.C., to the Nationals. I think, when it come to me, I’ve been touched by so several family and friends along with leukemia and lymphoma, teammates, it was simply a house run, being a section of this organization. It simply clicked.”
The 35-year-old, much-maligned closer returned to the group and pitched a scoreless inning Monday versus the Astros in which he struck out 2 batters. So Much this spring, many thanks in section to a rough outing thrown as soon as Dusty Baker pointed out Papelbon was sick, he is pitching to a 10.12 ERA in 3 outings. He has actually permitted 4 runs on the subject of 2 hits and 3 walks, however every one of the damage came in one inning.
DAYS UNTIL Opening up DAY: 20
Chelsea Janes covers the Nationals when it come to The Washington Post.
