By David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer
One of the things that I love most about AngelsWin.com is how caring and supportive our community is. We take care of one another. We share tickets with people we only know as screen names. We carpool to Fanfests and coordinate rides to games. We are a very caring and generous group.
On July 20th, 2013, we have a chance to do some real good with Angels baseball. The IE66ers, the Single-A affiliate for the Angels, is hosting a “Protect and Serve Night” to honor and raise funds for the family of Detective Jeremiah MacKay and for Deputy Alex Collins, both of whom paid a heavy price during the manhunt for Christopher Dorner.
I am not a veteran, so I do not know what it is like to put my life on the line every day for others. But, many on AngelsWin.com are veterans, and know the danger very well. They know what it’s like to get the call and have to respond to a situation without knowing all the facts and risks.
That’s exactly what Detective MacKay and Deputy Alex did on February 12, 2013, when Dorner went on a murdering rampage and barricaded himself in the San Bernadino mountains. These two heroes paid a heavy price when caught in a shootout with Dorner with Detective MacKay paying the ultimate price, leaving behind a wife and two children and Deputy Collins requiring many surgeries to recover from his wounds.
Many of you know that I am a fan of Minor League baseball. For the money, I think it is an incredible value. The seats are great, the in-game entertainment is great, and with Hangar-24 beer, the beer is great! And with tickets ranging from $6.90 to $13.55, the cost can’t be beat.
There are many players on the IE66ers worth the price of admission. Sappington, Yarbrough, Stamets, Borenstein, Morin, and others all come to mind. They are the future of the organization. It’s worth seeing them now to know them and to understand their development so that you can feel even more impressed when you see them in Anaheim.
There will be several unique opportunities to make this night special. They include:
· Watching deputy Alex Collins throw out the first pitch after being brought to the field by helicopter!
· Seeing the entire 66ers inspired pay tribute to these officers’ bravery by wearing specially-designed sheriff jerseys.
· A post-game auction on the game-worn jerseys—a chance to get a truly unique item from a future Angel!
· Hearing bagpipers from the Emerald Society pay tribute to their friend Detective Jeremiah MacKay.
· A special K9 unit demonstration on the field!
On top of all of that, July 20th is the Mark Trumbo bobblehead night, as presented by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Tickets should be in high demand!
The best part of the evening is that 20% of the ticket proceeds will go to benefit the MacKay and Collins families. I am proud that an Angels affiliate is willing to forgo its profits to help those in the community who protect and serve.
I know that there is an Angels game that night. I have season tickets. But, on July 20th, I will be in San Bernadino with my family paying honor to these two brave men. I have already given my tickets away and will be driving with my family to show my sons how we honor heroes. My sons, who are in elementary school, are just learning about community helpers. What better way to show them what community helpers do and how the community takes care of its helpers than by attending this game.
The Angels organization has always shown class and distinction. Now, it’s up to us as fans to show the organization that we can do the same. I look forward to seeing as many fans from AngelsWin.com as can make it at the IE66ers on July 20th. It’s time for us to do some good with Angels baseball and the IE66ers.
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