Home Run Challenge helps in battle against prostate cancer

The Prostate Cancer Foundation raises funds for prostate cancer research by securing pledges for home runs hit during selected Major League Baseball games the week of Father’s Day, June 5-15, 2008.
In 2007, 130 home runs were hit during 60 games, raising over $2.5 million for prostate cancer research in just eleven days.
Once again baseball fans have a chance to help in the battle againats prostate cancer by making pledges in this year’s Home Run Challenge by calling 1-800-798-CURE (2873) or going online at www.prostatecancerfoundation.org. Pledges range from a quarter to $10,000 for each home run hit in specified games between June 5 and June 15. One-time donations are also welcome and can be made up to the start of the last game of the Challenge on June 15.
To help promote prostate cancer awareness on Father’s Day, June 15, 2008, Major League players, managers, coaching staffs, trainers, equipment managers, groundskeepers and umpires wear blue wristbands, blue headbands, blue biceps bands, blue ribbon temporary tattoos and blue eye glare. There will also be blue manager cards, blue jewels on bases and a blue ribbon on the field.
Each team has a designated Prostate Cancer Foundation player representative.. A partial list of players involved includes: Sean Casey, Carlos Delgado, Scott Rolen, Todd Helton, Jim Thome, Jacque Jones, Luis Gonzalez, Lance Berkman, Derrek Lee, Jason Kendall, Jason Giambi, Aaron Boone, Chipper Jones, David Ortiz, Albert Pujols, Paul Konerko, Brian Giles, Garret Anderson, Joe Mauer, Nomar Garciaparra, Eric Chavez, Jason LaRue, Richie Sexson, Mike Cameron, Brad Wilkerson, Josh Willingham, Cesar Izturis, Brandon Inge, Hank Blalock, Aaron Rowand, Dave Roberts, Carlos Pena, Geoff Jenkins, Jack Wilson, Scott Hatteberg, Frank Catalanotto, Vernon Wells, Nick Markakis, Eric Byrnes, Jose Guillen, Miguel Tejada, Nick Johnson, Mark Teahen, Jason Bay, Chase Utley, Torii Hunter and Travis Hafner.
Thirty managers will participate, including lead managers Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox, Ron Gardenhire, Ozzie Guillen, Bruce Bochy, Dusty Baker, Mike Scioscia, Willie Randolph, Lou Piniella, Clint Hurdle, Eric Wedge, Bob Melvin, Ron Washington, John Gibbons, Fredi Gonzalez, Bud Black, Charlie Manuel, Terry Francona and Joe Torre.
Major League Baseball is an official partner in promoting prostate cancer awareness and fundraising. Teams provide support for the Home Run Challenge in a variety of ways, including hosting pre-game ceremonies; running public service announcements on radio, TV, DiamondVision and in game programs; donating tickets; distributing blue ribbon temporary tattoos; holding charity auctions; painting a blue ribbon on the field; and supporting the work of their Prostate Cancer Foundation player representatives.
Here’s a list of the games in this year’s 2008 Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge:
June 5
Baltimore vs. Minnesota
Toronto vs. New York (AL)
Houston vs. Pittsburgh
Cleveland vs. Texas
New York (NL) vs. San Diego

June 6
Arizona vs. Pittsburgh
San Francisco vs. Washington
Tampa Bay vs. Texas
Milwaukee vs. Colorado
Chicago (NL) vs. Los Angeles (NL)

June 7
Baltimore vs. Toronto
Chicago (NL) vs. Los Angeles (NL)
Cleveland vs. Detroit
Minnesota vs. Chicago (AL)
Cincinnati vs. Florida
Philadelphia vs. Atlanta

June 8
Kansas City vs. New York (AL)
Seattle vs. Boston
St. Louis vs. Houston
Milwaukee vs. Colorado
Los Angeles (AL) vs. Oakland
New York (NL) vs. San Diego

June 9
Seattle vs. Toronto
Tampa Bay vs. Los Angeles (AL)

June 10
Baltimore vs. Boston
Washington vs. Pittsburgh
Philadelphia vs. Florida
San Francisco vs. Colorado

June 11
Chicago (AL) vs. Detroit
Minnesota vs. Cleveland
Arizona vs. New York (NL)
St. Louis vs. Cincinnati
New York (AL) vs. Oakland

June 12
Chicago (AL) vs. Detroit
Milwaukee vs. Houston
Texas vs. Kansas City
Atlanta vs. Chicago (NL)
Los Angeles (NL) vs. San Diego

June 13
Florida vs. Tampa Bay
Kansas City vs. Arizona
Atlanta vs. Los Angeles (AL)
Oakland vs. San Francisco

June 14
Boston vs. Cincinnati
Philadelphia vs. St. Louis
Washington vs. Seattle

June 15
Los Angeles (NL) vs. Detroit
San Diego vs. Cleveland
Chicago (NL) vs. Toronto
Texas vs. New York (NL)
Boston vs. Cincinnati
Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore
Florida vs. Tampa Bay
Colorado vs. Chicago (AL)
Minnesota vs. Milwaukee
New York (AL) vs. Houston
Oakland vs. San Francisco
Kansas City vs. Arizona
Washington vs. Seattle
Atlanta vs. Los Angeles (AL)
Philadelphia vs. St. Louis