Getting your player ready...
Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden, who grew up with his share of struggles as the son of a single, working mother, is doing what he can to give back to the Stockton, Calif., community where he grew up. At Sunday’s game against the Rockies, he will host more than 250 players from his former Little League. He’ll put them through a clinic and hold a question-and-answer session before the game. Braden, 25, also plans to annually sponsor a child from the league who’s being raised by a single parent. “I want to do something that’s more meaningful when it’s hands-on,” Braden said. “. . . I could have very easily just written a check. That’s not how I feel good at the end of the day.” The Associated Press
