Omaha Storm Chasers celebrating Miles Mortensen with special themed jerseys
Miles Mortensen, the 4-year-old son of Omaha Storm Chasers reliever and former big leaguer Clayton Mortensen, is currently undergoing treatment following a cancer relapse last month, and on Friday, the Storm Chasers will be honoring Miles by wearing a special "Super Miles" jersey during their game against the New Orleans Zephyrs.
The jersey, which features a blue letter "M" and the "Super Miles" nickname on the front and a yellow superhero cape on the back, was designed by Nicole Pappas of Boston, Mass., and was chosen by Miles as part of a contest run by the team.
"From the submissions, there were six that he got to pick from, and he picked the one that he thought was the most awesome," Miles' mother, Janna Mortensen, told FOX Sports on Friday. "I think he really likes seeing his name on there. He's really into his name and knowing the letters right now, so he really liked the design of it."
Tonight's Super Hero Night features a #LetsGoMiles jersey auction to support the son of P Clay Mortensen. pic.twitter.com/FSEk3UCNmH
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) June 24, 2016
The idea was the brainchild of Orioles left-hander Brian Duensing and his wife, Lisa.
The Duensings operate The Brian Duensing Foundation, which provides aid to families battling cancer or other serious illnesses, and the family came up with the idea as a way of helping raise money for Brian's former teammate, Mortensen. Earlier this season, Duensing, a longtime member of the Minnesota Twins, made 12 appearances for the Storm Chasers before he was released by the Royals (Omaha's parent club) and signed by Baltimore.
During Friday's game, all of the players' and coaches' jerseys will be up for auction -- including the one worn by Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, who is currently in Omaha on a rehab assignment. The money raised will be matched by the Duensing Foundation and used to help cover Miles' growing medical expenses via the family's GoFundMe page.
The #LetsGoMiles jerseys are hanging in the clubhouse for tonight. pic.twitter.com/nwAetiCVd3
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) June 24, 2016
“It’s just so special to us that we’re being so accepted by the Omaha community and especially the Storm Chasers organization, all the way up to the Royals organization,” Janna Mortensen said. “For them to do this for us and make us feel like we’re part of their family, and to show their support for Miles and for Clayton, it’s so amazing. We’re really, really lucky to be involved with an organization like them.”
As for the man of the hour, Miles got home from the hospital Thursday after his latest round of treatment, and he was scheduled to undergo a blood transfusion Friday afternoon. The goal, his mom said, is to make it to the ballpark in time to see his hand-picked jerseys in action on the field.
“It’s just all so amazing, and it’s so helpful, too,” Janna Mortensen said of the auction. “So we’re really hoping that we can make it to the game tonight. It would be so, so special.”
You can follow Sam Gardner on Twitter or email him at samgardnerfox@gmail.com.
