News
McCready takes BP before rocking Safeco
Pearl jam guitarist helps Mariners fight Crohn's diseaseBy Jim Street / MLB.com
05/19/09 10:40 PM ET
SEATTLE -- A few hours before performing the national anthem at Safeco Field on Tuesday night, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready put on a Mariners uniform, grabbed a bat and took some batting practice. As a hitter, McCready is a great musician. Mariners strength and conditioning coach Allen Wirtala fired some BP-speed pitches at the entertainer and most of the "hits" were of the infield variety. McCready, who has had a strong desire to perform before a Mariners home game on his signature electric guitar, got his wish prior to Tuesday night's game against the Angels in a promotion to raise money and awareness for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.In 2002, McCready made public his 20-year battle with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and has since been committed to raising awareness and funding for CCFA.
"As a patient living with Crohn's and colitis, the CCFA has played a huge part in helping me get the support and information that I need," McCready said in a recent interview with Rick Turner of Health Talk.
The goal of CCFA Night at Safeco Field is to raise funds for the foundation and the Northwest Chapter, which actively supports more than 60,000 Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients living in the Northwest. In addition to raising funds, CCFA will be on-site to help raise general awareness of both diseases, which, due to severe symptoms, are often kept quiet.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
