Former Slugger Mike Sweeney Joins Bob Salomon's Vision to Reshape Sports

Cubs fans, I'd like to share something with you that is a rare positive story in today's otherwise negative baseball world, in the hope that you will join me in helping Bob Salomon.

Salomon is more than just a coach, husband and proud father. He is most recognized as the driving force behind the award-winning children’s book A Glove of Their Own, a story about paying it forward and children who play baseball simply for the love of the game.

Salomon created a grass roots campaign to raise awareness that has blossomed into a movement. This movement involves current and former Major Leaguers, including Craig Biggio, Sean Casey, Jack Hannahan, Jason Grilli, Joe Torre, Tommy John, Phil Niekro, Bud Harrelson, Bernie Williams, Nelson Cruz, Brent Mayne and Robb Quinlan.

Now that movement also includes former slugger Mike Sweeney, who played 16 years in the Major Leagues.

If you haven't yet purchased a copy of the book, by all means, go ahead and do so. It is one of those stories that will enrich your life, and hearkens back to a time when baseball was played in its purest form. Thanks to proceeds from the sale of this book, many charitable gifts have been donated to help children all over the world benefit and share in the message of "Play it Forward."

As Bob himself will tell you: 

"For few things in life are ever as good, as the smell of your own glove, the crack of the wood. Or being with friends, at that one special spot and sharing what you have...with those who have not."

There was a time when kids would meet after school, with just a bat and a ball, sharing equipment to play a game without the interruption of cell phones or social media. The message is very inspiring and one that will warm your heart.

In his vision to reshape sports, Salomon has been joined by Sweeney, who retired before the 2011 season and now works as a studio analyst on MLB Network. He and his wife Shara run the Mike and Shara Sweeney Family Foundation, which is a foundation designed to help children and carry out the three themes of love, family, and youth.

The ironic part of this is how Bob went about recruiting Sweeney. At first, he didn't recognize him as a four-time Major League All-Star, as author Steve Sidoti relates in New Egypt Entertainment and Media:

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“I was kind of embarrassed, because I didn’t know who he was,” Salomon admitted. “We had an instant friendship after the first call. But when I mentioned his name to some friends that follow the game, I quickly learned about the impact he had, not just in baseball, but on people. After a lengthy second conversation, I learned that all the perceptions were true. I knew we had to join forces.”

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Sweeney has long been known as someone who cares about helping people, and Salomon's work was attractive to him from the start, according to Sidoti.

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“What attracted me to Bob Salomon was his faith and his love for kids,” Sweeney said. “He also stressed trying to use baseball to spread joy and love to people who may not have it. He had a beautiful idea with this book, ‘A Glove of Their Own,’ and it’s been used as a vehicle to light up the eyes of young ones. His next book will do even more. When we spoke, it was a perfect fit. I told him that I’d love to team up with him and his efforts because in my eyes, we had the same idea at heart, which is impacting kids.”

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Meanwhile, Salomon is producing a second children’s book, and this time he is spotlighting football. The book, Beyond the Laces, will "portray the true gift of athletes, which is the impact they have on children. It will unite all sports and also showcase the message of never giving up."

As Salomon tells us:

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"The goal of the football book is to make all athletes come together to help kids. We want to tour throughout hospitals around the country with various sports figures and send the message out about not giving up. My dream is that the NFL and United Way will use the book to help promote this message and place a positive impact on children and the game of football.”

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With all of the negativity in professional sports these days, it is truly refreshing to read about such inspiring hopes and dreams. To know a man like Bob has been very rewarding for me, and I'm sure that if you follow his journey, you too will have the benefit of such a wonderful experience.

When ordering A Glove of Their Own, $3 will be donated to the Mike and Shara Sweeney Family Foundation when using the code SFF-029  at http://www.agloveoftheirown.com

To join the movement and to learn more, please feel free to contact Bob Salomon directly at [e-mail].