When Chris Sale records a strikeout, may believe that on-field result is the only outcome of any importance. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Each of Chris Sale’s 178 strikeouts results in the production of deafening applause from the citizenry of Red Sox Nation. While such occurrences are entirely appropriate, many of the producers of such applause will never quite comprehend the far greater, “beyond baseball” significance that said strikeouts warrant.
Through a charitable partnership, of which Sale is a member, each of the aforementioned 178 strikeouts result in measurable, quantifiable, and affirmative outcomes for the courageous men and women stationed around the globe in defense of our freedom.
Sale’s partnership is with an enterprise named “Carhartt”; a company established in 1889 and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Carhartt is a significant global premium work wear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged products for workers on and off the job. Through its 2017 “Strikeout for Vets” program, Carhartt donates money in support of “Helmets to Hardhats,” a national nonprofit program that helps military service members successfully transition back into civilian life by offering them the means to secure a quality career in the building and trade industry.
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The reader may be speculating just how Sale plays a role in this charitable endeavor. Prior to the 2017 baseball campaign, Carhartt created a “starting rotation,” which includes Chris Sale, Jacob deGrom, Felix Hernandez, Corey Kluber, and Michael Fulmer. For every strikeout recorded by each of these five pitchers throughout the 2017 baseball season, Carhartt will donate $100 to Helmets to Hardhats.
In addition, Carhartt will donate a supplementary $25,000 to Helmets to Hardhats if the Carhartt Starting Rotation records more strikeouts in 2017 than any other MLB team’s top five starting pitchers. One can follow Carhartt and the “Strikeouts for Vets” campaign on Facebook and Twitter at facebook.com/carhartt and @Carhartt or track the campaign using #Ks4Vets.
At present, the Carhartt starting rotation has accumulated 562 strikeouts in 2017, generating $56,200 for charity. The Carhartt star-studded rotation is currently jousting with the Washington Nationals rotation for the most strikeouts and the associated $25,000 supplementary donation. Presently, the Carhartt rotation has struck out four fewer batters than the National’s rotation.
Three members of the Carhartt starting rotation will be, in all likelihood, pitching in tonight’s All-Star contest: Michael Fulmer, Chris Sale, and Corey Kluber. The $100/strikeout promotion remains in full effect during this contest, providing fans with two equally intriguing reasons to watch the game: how much money for charity will the Carhartt rotation generate in this contest and which league will have home-field advantage in the Fall Classic. It is a tossup as to which reason will result in greater viewership.
Lastly, the three aforementioned All-Stars were privileged enough to earn beautiful sweatshirts produced by Carhartt to commemorate their All-Star selections. The below photo displays the shirt fashioned for Chris Sale.
Our service members stationed around the globe could certainly use our assistance. While many of us take this point for granted, these brave individuals are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to enable the citizens of this great country to pursue their chosen endeavors with little, if any, fear. In many countries, such an environment would be impossible to create.
I surmise that most Red Sox fans have never consciously recognized that the simple pleasure of watching a ball game in a clean, comfortable, and stylish Force Extremes® Signature graphic hooded sweatshirt is a luxury that we are very privileged to enjoy. In fact, nearly no freedoms that we exercise on a regular basis are guaranteed as a birth rite. Were the umbrella of protection provided by our military no longer sufficient, all of our freedoms that we presently enjoy would be subject to abolition or revocation at any given moment.
Next: Red Sox: Player awards for first half of 2017 season
I urge all Americans to remember the following four-word sentence that, unfortunately, has repeatedly demonstrated its veracity: Freedom Don’t Come Free.