True Facts: Players and Their Charitable Acts

Recently, Chicago White Sock and Constant Villain A.J. Pierzynski announced that he will be growing a mustache as part of a month-long fundraiser for prostate and testicular cancer awareness.

Sadly, not all players receive as much attention for their charitable acts. Here are a few true facts about lesser-known gestures from MLB players past and present.

1887: Phenomenal Smith changes name, for one day only, to “Pretty Good” Smith in effort to improve self-esteem of opponents.

1912: Ty Cobb resolves only to badly maim, but not actually kill, spectator.

1957: Mickey Mantle offers to become organ donor. Awkward silence follows.

1983: Ozzie Smith does a back flip. An angel gets its wings.

2010: Jeff Francoeur vows to participate in Swing Wildly for Hunger after disputing the value of the Walk.