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Sure, performance on the field matters. However, sometimes there is more to the game than numbers. Although he didn’t have a fantastic outing on Saturday, Trevor Bauer was still the Most Valuable Player on the field.
Prior to the game, Bauer met with 11-year-old Kanon. A few weeks ago, his mother Megan posted this to Twitter, saying that her son has been bullied so bad they’ve had to switch schools multiple times.
Today is my son's 11th birthday. He's had a REALLY hard year in this pandemic. We had to move 2X & he was bullied at both new schools. He's sweet & sensitive & doesn't understand why kids are so mean. Could you wish him happy birthday today? His name is Kanon! Pls RT! #kanonsbday pic.twitter.com/WK2slEvdz8
— Megan Aronson (@MeganAronson) March 11, 2021
The Dodgers and Bauer heard of the story, and Kanon was Bauer’s guest on Saturday. Prior to the game, Bauer bet with Kanon and his family and took some photos. Bauer made Kanon a personalized No. 27 Dodgers jersey with his name on it. On the jersey, Bauer wrote “It’s cool to be different. Keep being you!”
What an incredible experience for Kanon to meet the one & only Trevor Bauer @BauerOutage at the @Dodgers Spring Training game today! He made Kanon his own jersey & signed it "It's cool to be different! Keep being you!" Made this Mama cry. Thank you Trevor for an amazing day! #MLB pic.twitter.com/AIgByCa38e
— Megan Aronson (@MeganAronson) March 27, 2021
Following his outing, Bauer was asked about his interaction with Kanon. Here’s what he had to say:
He’s had a rough year in school getting bullied. That’s a story I can identify with because that was my entire childhood. I got bullied mercilessly nonstop by kids at school. I hated going to school. I was miserable for 17 years of my life. Wanted to give him some hope that things get better.... Hopefully it makes a positive impact.
The Trevor Bauer content that needs to be seen today pic.twitter.com/vdlcwxDuid
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) March 27, 2021
Sometimes, there are things far more important than baseball. Well done, Trevor.
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It was a hard year for everyone. We moved 2X. Kanon was bullied at both schools. The last 6 months I cried every day watching him struggle. Then @BauerOutage saw my tweet about Kanon's birthday & wanted Kanon to know it's cool to to different. This is a day we'll never forget!❤ https://t.co/xCt1E7RaWU pic.twitter.com/RcFXvjAibd
— Megan Aronson (@MeganAronson) March 27, 2021