LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — His hair was as long as he'd had it since he was 5, but Kris Medlen sacrificed his locks for a good cause Wednesday morning.
In front of the dugout before the Braves’ workout, he had his head shaved as part of the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research’s #RallyVsCancer challenge.
Medlen also pledged up to $20,000 of his own money to help kickstart this year’s drive. He and his wife, Nikki, have become Atlanta spokespersons for the group after longtime Rally spokesman Brian McCann left the Braves to sign a free-agent contract with the New York Yankees. McCann will continue to work with the foundation, which he’s been connected with for years.
In an event televised live on an Atlanta morning show, Medlen had his head shaved completely bald, with cancer survivors wielding the electric clippers for much of the job. Afterward, Medlen’s 1-year-old son, Max, at first seemed confused and then highly amused when he touched his dad’s bald head.
“All my bullpens have been so bad down here, maybe this will even it out and I’ll start throwing better,” Medlen joked as his head was being shaved. He also said he felt like John Smoltz, the now-retired and famously follicly challenged Braves pitcher.
Medlen donated $10,000 to the cause, and will also match the first $1,000 raised by up to 10 groups or individuals who sign up to have similar head-shaving events. They are urged to raise money through pledges. For more information or to sign up, go to their website: www.RallyVsCancer.org.
