Join Judge, Yelich in tribute to #TheRealHeroes
This week, a cross section of athletes from 12 sports leagues and brands banded together to remind the world that our heroes, while not in capes, do dress similarly -- in the form of scrubs and masks.
The names of front-line workers, while not familiar to the masses in normal times, are getting some major play this week, and deservedly so. In conjunction with National Nurses Week, prominent sports figures replaced the names on the backs of their jerseys with the names of doctors, nurses, EMTs and other health professionals who are working tirelessly, often at the expense of their own health and safety, to treat people afflicted with COVID-19.
Major League Baseball was an enthusiastic participant in "The Real Heroes Project," paying tribute to health care workers in a first-of-its-kind initiative giving medical professionals their due. Dubbed #TheRealHeroes on social media, tributes circulated digitally all day on Wednesday with sports celebrities giving the proverbial tip of the cap to real-life superstars.
Two of baseball's most recognizable stars, the Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Brewers' Christian Yelich, were featured with more than 30 pro athletes in a PSA campaign honoring those on the front lines. Judge's iconic Yankees jersey bears the name of RN Stephanie Pantelidis, who, according to the Yankees' Twitter, "is a dedicated first-year ER nurse in NYC. After six straight night shifts, she inquired about working at drive-thru testing sites on her day off."
• Judge's #TheRealHeroes video
• Yelich's #TheRealHeroes video
Yelich replaced his name on his jersey with Dr. Dave Margolis. "I know it's been a difficult few months for you guys, a lot of long hours away from your family,” Yelich said. “But you're making a difference -- you're saving lives. You're the real hero for all you do for the kids and their families in this difficult time. Keep up the great work, you're doing an awesome job, and we're all behind you."
Many players from a variety of clubs participated in the initiative. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart wrote the name of RN Mary Shields on his jersey, while pitcher Robert Stephenson added the name "Jamie" to his, in honor of his wife, a nurse.
Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove posted a heart-felt message to nurse Kathy Glaus on Instagram: "Kathy has demonstrated her commitment to care for each COVID patient that crosses her path, and she does this without fear and with tremendous courage!"
Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun, who is only two months removed from his own trip to the emergency room after he fractured his jaw during Spring Training, wrote "Espie" on his jersey.
Rockies pitcher Jeff Hoffman posted a photo on Instagram of him holding his jersey with the last name of a nurse -- Klinowski -- with a comment, "Let them feel the love!"
Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda recorded his own PSA of sorts, shared in a video message relayed by the club's flagship radio station, AM 570 LA Sports.
"Good things will happen, because we have a country of great faith and great togetherness," Lasorda said. "Thank you to the doctors -- they are doing a remarkable job -- nurses, first responders ... we just have to be a team. The only way we can beat this thing is to be a team."
On the Red Sox's Twitter, they posted an aerial video of Fenway Park showing several designs on their freshly mowed field: their logo, a heart and the word "nurses."
Twins All-Star designated hitter Nelson Cruz cleverly changed his jersey to honor Dr. Cruz Jiminian by writing on tape before and after his own last name on his jersey.
"The people's doctor," Cruz wrote in his Instagram message.
Twelve sports leagues supported #TheRealHeroes project, including MLB, the NFL, the NBA, the WNBA, the NHL, MLS, WWE, NASCAR, the Women's Tennis Association and the National Women's Soccer League, in addition to video game publishers Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard.