“I wanted to make a difference, and pay it forward, and raise funds for younger players that have aspirations to play baseball on a professional level one day, as well as help raise funds for families dealing with the reality of blood cancer. My great uncle had Leukemia, and my father had Multiple Myeloma, so I know the toll treatment can take on a family. He is 5 years in remission now… they were my inspiration, as well as Carson Rozsman… we wanted to recreate the event and help raise funds for these charities through Crushin’ for a Cause!”
– Tyler Tolve
Crushin’ for a Cause Celebrity Home Run Derby with 6-4-3 Foundation and the SagerStrong Foundation
Crushin’ for a Cause Celebrity HomeRun Derby hosted by Tyler Tolve and friends and MLB prospects was a great success at Aviation Sports Park in Marietta, Georgia. More than 100 fans and friends came out to watch the Derby, which pitted 11 MLB prospects against each other in an afternoon of the long ball, lots of dingers and so much fun! Announcer Trey Fowler kept the crowd engaged while the participants took turns going from 11 players …. to four in the semifinals… to two in the finals, eventually with one winner taking the title in the first year event. Michael Trautwein (currently with the Reds Organization] won the event with the following home run counts in the finals 8, 10, 9, edging out Noah Medlinger, who had 8, 3, 8 currently with the Cardinals Organization! The atmosphere was what you expect at the day at the ball park — great food from The Cheezy Truck @thecheezytruck and Donut NV @donutnvmariettaga, lots of music, entertainment and fun, despite the wind. The auction featured many baseball items, including four tickets to a Braves game, four tickets to a Gwinnett Stripers game with a $500 gift card to Cotton Calf Kitchen, autographed memorabilia by Freddie Freeman, Jayson Heyward, Dansby Swanson, John Smoltz and all of the guys hitting at the event. There was even the opportunity to visit with the guys themselves after the derby, as the participants signed autographs. It was an amazing day! Thank you to Tyler Tolve, the players listed below, The 6-4-3 Foundation, and all the volunteers for an amazing afternoon event raising funds for the SagerStrong Foundation and The 6-4-3 Foundation.
Participants included- Tyler Tolve, Braves; Carson Taylor, Phillies; Noah Mendlinger, Cardinals; Michael Trautwein, Reds; Michael Chavis, Mariners; Justyn-Henry Malloy, Tigers; Jaylen Smith; Ben Harris, Dodgers; Bryson Horne, Braves; Josh Hatcher, Rangers; Brandon Parker, Braves; Beau Philip, Braves; Johnathan Hughes, Braves; and Brant Hurter, Tigers.
Couldn’t make it??? It’s not too late to support the cause… CLICK HERE to make a donation today.
SagerStrong Spotlight – Meet Tyler Tolve! – Sager Strong Foundation
Celebrity Home Run Derby Participants
| Player | Hometown | College | Draft/Signed | Current Org. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Tolve | Woodstock, GA | KSU | 2021 Braves | Braves |
| Carson Taylor | Duluth, GA | Virginia Tech | 2020 Dodgers | Phillies |
| Noah Mendlinger | Alpharetta, GA | GCSU | 2021 Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Michael Trautwein | Johns Creek, GA | Northwestern | 2021 Reds | Reds |
| Michael Chavis | Marietta, GA | N/A | 2014 Red Sox | Mariners |
| Justyn-Henry Malloy | Bergenfield, NJ | Georgia Tech | 2021 Braves | Tigers |
| Bryson Horne | Blountstown, FL | Columbus State | 2020 Braves | Braves |
| Josh Hatcher | Albany, GA | KSU | 2022 Rangers | Rangers |
| Brandon Parker | Saucier, MS | Mississippi Gulf Coast JC | 2019 Braves | Braves |
| Jaylen Smith | Decatur, GA | KSU | 2022 Nationals | |
| Payton Eeles | Acworth, GA | Coastal Carolina | Tyler Tolve Training Partner | |
| Jonathan Hughes | Decatur, GA | Georgia Tech | 2015 Baltimore Orioles | Atlanta Braves Organization |
| Brant Hurter | Canton, GA | Georgia Tech | 2021 Detroit Tigers | Tigers |
| Ben Harris | Alpharetta, GA | Georgia | 2021 Dodgers | LA Dodgers |
