MIAMI -- Giancarlo Stanton grounded out to end the bottom of the fifth inning during the 88th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday, and the hometown hero's night was almost over. There was just one more thing to do before he headed into the clubhouse:
Stand Up To Cancer.
"Well, that's our job. That's our duty," Stanton said, when asked about the traditional Stand Up To Cancer in-game moment that immediately followed his last at-bat. "Especially when the spotlight is on brightest, which is right now. So you have to get out there and help out the community, help out charities and push it during a time like this where there's so much buzz in the media around it to get awareness out. So that's good that I was able to do that."
Everyone was able to do that, for the 16th time since the first Stand Up To Cancer Moment happened during a game at the 2009 World Series in Philadelphia. Fans, players, coaches and umpires were among those who stood for a long moment on Tuesday night, to remember loved ones who have fought cancer, and to raise awareness to help end cancer in our lifetimes.
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Fans arriving at the game were greeted with the now-familiar "I STAND FOR" placards from Stand Up To Cancer. After the fifth inning, MLB, the host Marlins, Mastercard and SU2C asked all fans and worldwide FOX viewers to stand and join on-field personnel in the traditional and emotional moment to remember those who have fought against cancer.
"We've had a great long-term relationship with Stand Up To Cancer," said Commissioner Rob Manfred, who was among those who raised their placards. "I think at this point in our relationship, the most important thing we can do for 'Stand Up' is to raise people's awareness that there's still work to be done. I think the moment we have at the All-Star Game is a perfect way to do that."
Tim, Amy and Rob Devlin of Boca Raton, Fla., held up their signs in the baseline reserved section along the third-base side. As with so many others in the building, this hit home.
"We've lost a family member to cancer, so it means a lot to us," said Tim, who lost his father about six years ago to the disease. "It was painful. It's something that's in our mind, so I think it's very important."
Amy added: "It was very powerful with the whole stadium to stand up. It was wonderful. I think everybody's affected by it."
This is the 10th year of MLB's relationship with Stand Up To Cancer as a founding donor. MLB and all 30 clubs work with SU2C and other organizations year-round in an effort to drive awareness and use the SU2C model to direct funds to Dream Team members of the medical-science community. Progress is constant, but the battle against the disease is ongoing.
Read about how Al Leiter gave up his at-bat in Sunday's All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game to 10-year-old cancer survivor Jacob Teel, and you are further reminded of the impact baseball can have.
The Stand Up To Cancer in-game moment has happened in every All-Star Game and in one game of every World Series since its debut in 2009.
"It is that form of collaboration that will truly cure cancer," SU2C co-founder Rusty Robertson said. "We recognize that it's the fans, who come to these games, who really will help us find the cure to the disease."
"I certainly hope so," Tim Devlin said. "It's certainly something that seems to be impacting more and more people, so we hope they find a cure."