P-Nats' ALS Jersey Auction a grand slam!
The auction featured the entire roster of the Potomac Nationals red game worn jerseys including owner Art Silber and top prospects Ross Detwiler and Michael Burgess. Each jersey had a starting bid of $45 with a few exceptions such as Detwiler and Burgess who were pegged at $100 each and prospects Stephen King and Luis Atilano whose began at $75 each. Fans were able to bid on the jerseys throughout the evening through the top of the 7th inning.
"The Potomac Nationals staff and fans are a wonderful partner to the Chapter and the ALS community. Each year I see many of the same fans, it is like old home week. The "shirts off their backs" jersey auction is not only an event that raises money to support the Chapter's free patient services programs but also is a key awareness program," said Christine Kirkley, Senior Development Associate with the ALS Association's DC/MD/VA Chapter. "ALS is considered an orphan disease and therefore we do not receive the publicity that some of the more prevalent diseases receive. This event affords us the opportunity to reach out to the public and educate them on what ALS is and how it affects not only the person receiving the diagnosis but everyone that person knows. This year I met a gentleman whose best friend recently received a diagnosis of ALS. Does his friend know about our services? Do the family and friends know about our services? They do now."
At the end of the game, the players presented the highest bidders with the jerseys right off of their backs. Fans were able to get pictures and autographs from the players which added to the excitement of the night. The total from the auction was $2,845 which was significantly higher than last year's auction. Detwiler's and Burgess's jerseys went for the highest at over $400 a piece. One jersey, #32, was bid on but the winner never came to claim their prize. This jersey has been signed by the entire Potomac Nationals team and will be auctioned off in a special online forum sometime this month. Stay tuned to www.potomacnationals.com for more details on this upcoming auction.