The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brewers’ Boyer calls mission to save sex slaves ‘life-changer’
Relief pitcher teams with pal LaRoche to free young captives.
Brewers reliever Blaine Boyer knew there was risk involved when he and close friend Adam LaRoche went overseas to try to free underage girls from the hellish world of sex slavery.
But that’s how strongly the two felt about trying to make a difference.
“It was a life-changer,” Boyer said. “It’s something Adam and I are going to do for the rest of our lives.”
The story of the remarkable mission by Boyer and LaRoche, both former Atlanta Braves, was first reported by ESPN The Magazine.
Boyer and LaRoche revealed they were involved with Exodus Road, a nonprofit organization that supports targeted interventions and rescues of young people being used as sex slaves across the world.
Boyer became acquainted with founder Matt Parker and introduced him three years ago to LaRoche, leading to the decision by the players to become personally active.
“His whole organization, their ministry, was extremely compelling, obviously,” said Boyer. “You talk about modern-day slavery, I think anybody would feel a pull or a tug to that. That was the initial reaction.”
Injury of the week
Diamondbacks pitcher Shelby Miller had to leave a game last week against the Padres after he cut both knuckles on his index finger — the result of dragging his hand on the mound during his follow-through. Scratched from the lineup? No kidding.
Posey’s purpose
A chance meeting between Kristen Posey and Melissa Wiggins motivated Kristen and her husband, Giants catcher Buster Posey, to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research and awareness. Wiggins’ son, 4-yearold Cannon Wiggins, has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, the most common cancer in childhood and infancy. The Poseys are parents of 3-year-old twins and immediately identified with Wiggins. “I had no idea the lack of funding,” Kristen Posey said. “Once I found that out, I did not want to sit back and do nothing. That’s easy to do. It’s not all smiling children without hair. What they go through is torture, and we want to do some- thing.”
Perfect player
New York’s David Wright compared teammate Noah Syndergaard to a player you create in a video game. “If you build a player and put abilities up to max, he’s the guy you want to build,” Wright said. “Being good or being great isn’t enough. He wants to be elite.” Asked about Wright’s comment, Syndergaard said: “I wasn’t a real big sports gamer back in the day so I never did that.”
Batting champ bling
Marlins 2B Dee Gordon received a 4-inch-wide jeweled medallion from owner Jeffrey Loria for winning the NL batting title last year. Loria presented the gift before a recent batting practice to a surprised Gordon, who rushed onto the field to show it to his teammates.
Trainer’s room
■ Giants: INF Ehire Adrianza (broken foot) is being fitted for a cast and will be restricted from baseball activities for five to six weeks.
■ Reds: RHP Homer Bailey threw 35-40 pitches in the bullpen, the latest step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last season. He’ll make at least three rehab starts.