Altoona Curve players will honor Mister Rogers with jerseys inspired by his famous sweater. (Photo: Altoona Curve)
Baseball uniforms paying tribute to Mister Rogers’ famous red cardigan take to the field next month at a special minor-league game.
The PBS Kids character Daniel Tiger also will appear July 5 for “A Night in the Neighborhood” in Altoona, Pa., where the home team is the Altoona Curve. The event is sponsored by the team, pubcaster WPSU in College Park, Pa., and the Fred Rogers Co. in Pittsburgh.
The evening “is sure to be a special night in our neighborhood,” said Curve GM Rob Egan in an announcement. “Of course, the best part will be the awareness and funds raised for the charities involved.”
Proceeds from a jersey auction will benefit WPSU’s community engagement activities. WPSU staffers will be at the ballpark to hand out 500 books to children. One young fan also will win a Daniel Tiger prize pack with a plush toy and additional goodies.
Also that evening, the Curve will sponsor a sweater drive for American Rescue Workers, a nonprofit that operates homeless shelters, workshops for persons with disabilities and halfway houses recovering substance abusers.
WPSU also has an annual sweater day honoring Rogers.
Last year, Clifford the Big Red Dog was a special guest at the ballpark. The Curve is the Double-A affiliate for the Pittsburgh Pirates.