Kelly challenges fans
Throws attention on good cause
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Kelly is still appealing his six-game suspension for intentionally hitting New York Yankees outfielder Tyler Austin and then engaging in a fight on the pitcher’s mound last week.
And while the attention he’s received in Boston has been appreciated by the Red Sox’ flamethrower — he was given a standing ovation at Fenway Park during his first appearance after the brawl and then another one at the Garden when he attended Game 2 of the Bruins’ playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs — Kelly decided to use the momentum to do a little good.
Kelly started the “COME ON! JK56 Challenge” in which he’s asking Boston sports fans and anyone else who wants to participate to donate to the Mission 108 foundation, a charity started by former Red Sox pitcher Robbie Ross Jr. and his wife, Brittany, to help fight human trafficking and give aid to the extremely poor.
Kelly’s wife Ashley “has been involved with them since earlier this year,” he said yesterday. “We’ve known the Ross family, they started the charity foundation. She got on the board with them and thought it was a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation at hand.
“Ashley went on a couple trips with them to India. Probably six months ago to go help the cause. It was impactful. Just to see how that country and how those people live, the situation at hand, obviously all across the world but it was pretty eye-opening for her to hear the stories. I want to go eventually when the time is right to go over there and see it would be a great experience. It’s a great cause to help out.”
The goal is to raise money for victims of sex trafficking in foreign countries and in the United States, he said.
“What they do is give money to these homes for girls who have been rescued after being trafficked,” said Kelly. “They take them in and try to rehabilitate in a way, just provide shelter for families that have abandoned them, parents and moms put their kids through that so it’s just a safe home. Most funds go to there and driving awareness.”
When Kelly started getting love from the Boston sports fans as well as an influx of notifications and followers on social media, he decided to create the challenge, which asks fans to make videos doing their best “come on” imitation of Kelly from last Wednesday’s fight at Yankee Stadium, when the pitcher said “come on” to Austin before he charged the mound.
“Anyway you can help with your platform is key,” he said. “With the incident, it’s been a great time to put it out there and trying to capitalize on that. People are willing to donate as much as they can. Fans and people who aren’t even fans are helping out. It’s been great.
“The Boston sports scene loves all their teams from every sport. College sports, even. It’s been cool to see, a good week for fans and the responsiveness to this.”
Four-get about it
Before Brock Holt stepped up with two men on base and one out in the ninth inning of the Red Sox’ 10-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night, he told Mookie Betts he would try to get him another at-bat.
Betts was sitting on three homers in the game, one shy of the major league record.
But Holt hit into an inning-ending double play and Betts never got another chance to hit.
“He specifically told me, ‘I’m going to get you another plate appearance to get you up to bat again,’ ” Betts said. “That didn’t happen so I may have to have some words for him.”
Said manager Alex Cora: “I was thinking about four. There’s not too many guys who have done it. I remember Mark Whiten did it. That’s the guy that comes to mind. And J.D. Martinez obviously. J.D. talked about it at that dinner in Tampa, he talked that day about how horrible he felt and hit four home runs. I was looking forward to it.”
JBJ inconsistent
Jackie Bradley Jr.’s first homer of the season was a monster shot estimated about 450 feet to right field on Tuesday. He finished with three hits but is still batting just .231 with a .668 OPS this season.
“Everybody’s been telling me, when he gets hot, he becomes probably the best hitter on the planet so I’m looking for that, I’m looking for that hot streak,” Cora said.
How can the new Red Sox coaching staff help Bradley be more consistent?
“There are a lot of conversations,” Cora said. “We want him to use the whole field. He’s a guy who’s very athletic, he’s versatile. He can do a lot of things at the plate. He can incorporate the bunts. He can go the other way. We want him to do that. The last week he’s done a good job and even (Tuesday). ” . . .
Knuckleballer Steven Wright will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket tomorrow. He’s been in Fort Myers at the team’s minor league complex since spring training while recovering from knee surgery . . . .
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts (ankle) took batting practice with the team again yesterday but Cora said there is “no rush” to get him back . . . . Left-hander Bobby Poyner (hamstring strain) will likely begin a rehab assignment soon.