Since beginning the 2024 season as the closer for the Athletics, Mason Miller's historic play on the field has given him the platform to offer support and encouragement for those around the world who share his diagnosis.

Mason was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes before his junior year of college after discovering high blood sugar levels from an employer-mandated drug screening. After learning to manage his condition, he was able to gain weight and maintain his energy levels when pitching, which, in turn, led to an increase in velocity. In 2021, he transferred to Division I Gardner-Webb University and was drafted by the A’s in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft.

This season, Mason has made a commitment to direct outreach to children living with Type 1 diabetes. In Oakland, and on the road, Mason takes the time to meet with kids on the field before games, talking to them about everything from insulin pumps to the best snacks to control blood sugar before taking the mound. As people around the world have heard Mason’s story, families have reached out to him for advice and encouragement for young athletes facing similar challenges.

At home, Mason works with Camp Sweet Escape, which is the flagship event of the South Carolina Youth Diabetes Association. The mission of Camp Sweet Escape is to improve the lives of the youth in the southeast who are living, and dealing with, the challenges of Type 1 diabetes. Camp activities include ropes courses, canoeing and paddle boats, swimming, fishing, a petting zoo, bubble ball, archery, color war, and arts and crafts.

Mason’s passion for helping those who share his diagnosis extends into the Bay Area community, where he works with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital’s Diabetes Child Life team to visit with patients, as well as the hospital’s Diabetes Clinic, where he provides unique insight into living with Type 1 diabetes as a professional athlete.

Mason has also taken the time to visit the School of Imagination (SOI), a Bay Area organization that is the leading inclusive early childhood education and multidisciplinary intervention program for neurodiverse learners, bringing out the extraordinary in every child. Former A’s player and current Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt built a relationship with SOI years ago; Mason and teammates Zack Gelof, Joey Estes, Mitch Spence and Brett Harris now carry the torch and have visited the School of Imagination for a day of playing and interacting with its students.

Though his career is young, Mason has made the most of his time in the big leagues and sees more work on the horizon. A Pittsburgh native, Mason intends to start a youth baseball clinic in his hometown. Additionally, he and his wife Jordan are animal lovers and plan to visit local animal shelters to help support the fight against animal cruelty.