Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Joc and Champ Pederson combined to produce a wonderful, multimedia piece for the Players Tribune on their relationship and their approach to life. It’s a must-read, so go check it out now …
— Jon Weisman
Tag: Champ Pederson
By Claire Miller
Joc Pederson goes by the mantra: “Live like a champ.” The phrase, coined by older brother Tyger and inspired by oldest brother Champ (who has Down syndrome) means live life to the fullest and don’t take anything for granted. No matter what you’re going through, pick your head up and live like a champ.
To help spread the Pederson family philosophy, Joc Pederson teamed up with New Era to design an exclusive Dodger hat featuring the family motto, with 31% of the sales benefiting Best Buddies, the charity of Pederson’s choice dedicated to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“(Our family) wouldn’t be who we are without Champ,” Joc said. “He kind of brings us all together. This is just somewhat a small thing that is going to bring us closer, and Best Buddies is a great cause.”
Senior vice president of corporate partnerships Michael Young hopes this will be the beginning of a trend. Depending on the success of the sales, the “Live Like a Champ” hat could pave the way for more exclusive hats helping other worthy causes.
The “Live Like a Champ hat” is now on sale exclusively at Dodger Stadium in the Right Field Plaza New Era store on game days, while supplies last.
By Jon Weisman
If you haven’t seen the video above, it’s the greatest.
Now, on to some links …
- Clayton Kershaw and A.J. Ellis will go April 19 to Azusa Pacific University to be interviewed by ESPN’s Chris Broussard for “Cross Training: A Conversation of Faith and Sports.” Details and ticket information can be found here. It will take place the evening of the finale of the Dodgers’ second homstand of the year
- Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports wrote a great story about how Albert Pujols and Joc Pederson connected over family. Pujols’ daughter Isabella and Pederson’s brother Champ each have Down syndrome.
- As part of MLB’s effort to raise awareness for autism, the Dodgers’ May 2 game against Arizona has been designated an Autism Awareness game. Find more details here.
- Fangraphs has placed the Dodger bullpen in its top 10. Hopefully, come October, it will rank even higher.
- Overall, Fangraphs ranks the Dodgers first in Wins Above Replacement for 2015.
- The Dodgers’ farm system ranks fourth in baseball, according to John Sickels of Minor League Ball.
- Dustin Nosler of Dodgers Digest has a look at how Dodger hitters and pitchers do after they get an 0-2 count.
- Joe Posnanski wrote a quick post about a topic I think about often: “The Brevity of Pitching Stardom.”
- The Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers announced their new mascots will be named Brooklyn (female) and Brix (male). See them here.
