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Jason Grilli's Commitment is a "Good Sign" for Denver Area Deaf School | Bleacher Report
Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Grilli has a career record of 16-16 with a 4.73 ERA. Good by all standards, but the Hall of Fame is not yet calling. According to the record book that really counts, however, Grilli is a winner of the Cy Young Award, MVP and slated for induction into Life's Hall of Fame.
After chatting with Grilli this afternoon about his involvement in this years "Signs of Summer Event" in Golden, Colorado, it is clear that Grilli is one of the good guys. Soft spoken, humble, and committed to helping those less fortunate than himself are attributes that don't show up on the scoreboard.
But for those who are keeping score at home, Grilli is throwing a perfect game.
Grilli became involved with the Rockie Mountain Deaf School (Charter School) shortly after he was traded to the Rockies last season and has become a regular fixture at the school to this day.
"I really wanted to do something for the community, because that's the type of person I try to be, explained Grilli who posted a 3-2 record with a 2.93 ERA for the Rockies last season. "My sister was a sign language interpreter, so when I got the letter from the school, I figured things happen for a reason."
The letter Grilli refers to was part of a fund raising campaign sent to him by Kay Bohan, who's son Troy is a student at the school. When the school was forced to move for the fifth time in 11 years Bohan started the "Sign's of Summer" event to raise money for a permanent building.
"I sent out letters along with sports memorabilia to over 1000 athletes across the country. My hopes was to get them to autograph the items so we could auction it off at our first event. I got back about 600 items, which was great," explained Bohan.
"But I only got one phone call from an athlete asking how else he could help. And that was from Jason."
Bohan explained that when Grilli got the letter he was so touched that he called his dad, Steve, who was also a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays from 1975-79. Then he called his wife and his sister and read them the letter as well.
"I knew I had to help," explained Grilli. "I called Kay and told her that signing autographs is the easy part, what else can I do to help?"
The two started talking about communication and how challenging it is for the deaf to communicate. At that point "a light went off" and Grilli told Kay about the Globallinx Video Phone, which he brings on the road so he can see his family when he calls them.
"I bring it so I can see my family and they can see me during times away from home", explained Grilli. "So I sent Kay and Troy a video phone to see if it helped him communicate."
Grilli has since donated several to the school to help the other 55 deaf students who attend. The 5 Linx company that manufactures the phones is also giving away two video phones at tomorrow's big event as well as paying for a one-year phone bill subscription for each one. Grilli is now a company rep for 5 Linx and markets the phone through his Perfect Pitch Marketing company
Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Grilli has a career record of 16-16 with a 4.73 ERA. Good by all standards, but the Hall of Fame is not yet calling. According to the record book that really counts, however, Grilli is a winner of the Cy Young Award, MVP and slated for induction into Life's Hall of Fame.
After chatting with Grilli this afternoon about his involvement in this years "Signs of Summer Event" in Golden, Colorado, it is clear that Grilli is one of the good guys. Soft spoken, humble, and committed to helping those less fortunate than himself are attributes that don't show up on the scoreboard.
But for those who are keeping score at home, Grilli is throwing a perfect game.
Grilli became involved with the Rockie Mountain Deaf School (Charter School) shortly after he was traded to the Rockies last season and has become a regular fixture at the school to this day.
"I really wanted to do something for the community, because that's the type of person I try to be, explained Grilli who posted a 3-2 record with a 2.93 ERA for the Rockies last season. "My sister was a sign language interpreter, so when I got the letter from the school, I figured things happen for a reason."
The letter Grilli refers to was part of a fund raising campaign sent to him by Kay Bohan, who's son Troy is a student at the school. When the school was forced to move for the fifth time in 11 years Bohan started the "Sign's of Summer" event to raise money for a permanent building.
"I sent out letters along with sports memorabilia to over 1000 athletes across the country. My hopes was to get them to autograph the items so we could auction it off at our first event. I got back about 600 items, which was great," explained Bohan.
"But I only got one phone call from an athlete asking how else he could help. And that was from Jason."
Bohan explained that when Grilli got the letter he was so touched that he called his dad, Steve, who was also a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays from 1975-79. Then he called his wife and his sister and read them the letter as well.
"I knew I had to help," explained Grilli. "I called Kay and told her that signing autographs is the easy part, what else can I do to help?"
The two started talking about communication and how challenging it is for the deaf to communicate. At that point "a light went off" and Grilli told Kay about the Globallinx Video Phone, which he brings on the road so he can see his family when he calls them.
"I bring it so I can see my family and they can see me during times away from home", explained Grilli. "So I sent Kay and Troy a video phone to see if it helped him communicate."
Grilli has since donated several to the school to help the other 55 deaf students who attend. The 5 Linx company that manufactures the phones is also giving away two video phones at tomorrow's big event as well as paying for a one-year phone bill subscription for each one. Grilli is now a company rep for 5 Linx and markets the phone through his Perfect Pitch Marketing company
