Big leaguers mix drinks for a good cause

Baseball and bartending collided for a night of fun and philanthropy at the 13th annual Celebrity Bartender Night, as Major League Baseball players stepped off the diamond and behind the bar to raise funds for Amyloidosis Support Groups.

Hosted by Issues Concerning Athletes, the event saw a dozen players, including White Sox outfielder Billy Hamilton, shaking up cocktails for a cause at Wasted Grain in Scottsdale, Ariz. Joining Hamilton were his current teammates Romy Gonzalez and Gavin Sheets, as well as Logan Allen and former All-Star Julio Teheran, among Hamilton’s closest baseball friends.

“I have been doing [this event] for a while. Every chance I get, I will be here every single year,” Hamilton said. “It gets bigger and bigger, with more people coming. You gotta love it. You gotta love it.”

Mariners reliever Penn Murfee agreed, sharing his sentiments on the power the baseball community has when it works together.

“When I heard the cause this event was for, I was happy to support. I always love giving my time to things like this,” Murfee said.

“I think it’s cool that baseball transcends so many things so often. For us to be able to come together and support one common goal is something I really cherish.”

Despite having more experience with a bat than behind a bar, the players involved with the charity event saw immense value in it.

“I was looking forward to bartending for the first time in my life, with other players who have no idea what we are doing. It’s always good for a good cause, and I am having fun,” said Royals reliever Jose Cuas.

“As a kid, you dream of being in a position to give back and inspire people to pursue their dreams.”

The event featured a bar with drinks served by MLB players, and all tips went to charity. Emcee Daron Sutton provided some unique play-by-play, and guests had the opportunity to bid on a tremendous selection of unique sports memorabilia, over a dozen Marriott getaways and other fantastic prizes in a silent auction while chowing down on pizza and desserts.

The event has long been a home run, with former celebrity bartenders including All-Stars such as Justin Upton, Anthony Rizzo, Joe Nathan, Rick Sutcliffe, Paul Goldschmidt, Aroldis Chapman, Nelson Cruz, Johnny Cueto, Robinson Canó and Todd Frazier.

Erica Brooks, the founder of Issues Concerning Athletes, expressed her gratitude for being able to host the event and help raise funds to support patients and families affected by a rare disease like amyloidosis. Brooks lost her father to amyloidosis and understands the value that support groups provide to those affected by the disease.

Amyloidosis Support Groups are dedicated to providing peer group support to patients, caregivers, families and friends of those touched by the disease. Amyloidosis is a rare and life-threatening affliction in which an abnormal protein called amyloid is produced and attaches to various organs, tissues and nerves, stopping the normal function of any affected area.