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Jameson Taillon, Pirates teammates shave heads for MLB's Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

Mark Townsend
Yahoo Sports Contributor

For the second straight year, Major League Baseball and all 30 clubs participated in Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. As part of the initiative, every player, coach, umpire and grounds crew member wore gold ribbon decals and wristbands for Friday’s games to raise awareness for the fight against childhood cancer.

It’s a worthy cause that hits home for many of those around the league who were showing their support. No one more so though than Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May before undergoing treatment and making a successful return five weeks later.

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Given his own battle, Taillon decided to go above and beyond by participating in the “2017 BaseBALD Challenge” with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

He was joined by teammates Steven Brault, Chris Stewart, Jose Osuna, Elias Diaz and coaches Tom Prince and Euclides Rojas at a pregame head-shaving event before the team took on the Cincinnati Reds.

Jamesom Taillon (far left) was one of the several Pirates to shave their heads for MLB’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. (MLB)
Jamesom Taillon (far left) was one of the several Pirates to shave their heads for MLB’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. (MLB)

According to MLB.com, Pirates Charities made a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for every head that was shaved. The Pirates also hosted a superhero-themed party for 25 children battling pediatric cancer, allowing them to dress up as superheroes before they assisted in shaving the Pirates’ heads.

It doesn’t get any better than that, but the Pirates didn’t stop there. The team did its part in helping the recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey as proceeds from the Pirates Charities 50/50 raffle went to the American Red Cross’ relief fund.

That’s a lot of good deeds for one day. Hats off to the Pirates for going all out to support these children battling cancer and those looking to bounce back after Hurricane Harvey.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!