Reprinted from The Connecticut Post © Copyright 2008
October 8, 2008
By Chris Velardi
Every year, life throws thousands of children a curve ball pitting them in a life and death battle with cancer. Now, a major leaguer from Connecticut is stepping up to offer some help.
Craig Breslow is living the dream. He's a major leaguer who just finished a very good season pitching out of the bullpen for the Minnesota Twins.
Before he pitched in the big league ballparks, Craig pitched at Trumbull High School and at Yale Field where he was a captain on the 2002 Yale team.
"I threw a shut-out at Harvard which was probably the highlight of my baseball career," Craig Breslow, Minnesota Twins Pitcher, said.
Craig didn't come to Yale to become a major league baseball pitcher. Instead, he came to study to be doctor. And, that's still the plan...pitching just kind of got in the way.
But pitching has also given Craig an opportunity.
He recently set up the 'Strike 3 Foundation' to help in the fight against childhood cancer.
His inspiration is his sister who was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer when she was 14 and Craig was just 12-years-old.
"I could tell that my dad was visibly shaken. I asked him what was wrong and he said, 'Lesley has cancer' and I remember clear, as day, the first thing I asked was, 'Is she gonna die'" Breslow said.
Lesley made a full recovery -- but his big sister's battle stuck with Craig.
"At 12-years-old, nobody should have to ask their dad or their mom if their older sister, younger sister is gonna die," Breslow said.
He says that's why he wants to give back now.
With a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale -- med school will be there when his playing days are over.
In the meantime, he's got work to do both on the field and off.
Craig Breslow's 'Strike 3 Foundation' has partnered with a well-established organization called 'Cure Search' in its effort to fund research for childhood cancer.
The foundation's holding its first big fundraiser -- a celebrity gala -- November 8th at the Woodbridge Country Club.