Five Major League Baseball players from the Detroit Tigers, members of their families and team staff visited the Pentagon today ahead of the team's three-game series tomorrow against the Washington Nationals.
During the visit, the more than two dozen visitors from the Midwest were given a full VIP Pentagon tour, followed by the opportunity to take photos inside the press briefing room.
"We're so happy to have you join us today. You all represent so much more than just baseball; you really embody the spirit of Detroit — the grit of the Midwest," Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson told the group.
Wilson went on to express thanks from the Defense Department for the Tigers' "unwavering support for service members and veterans," noting visits by the team to military installations to boost troop morale, as well as the various charitable initiatives the Tigers organization engages in.
"Even the smallest gestures of your appreciation [make] a huge difference, and it goes a really long way with the folks that I work with every day … all across the DOD and all of our deployed forces across the globe," Wilson told the group.
As one example of the team's commitment to their local community — as well as the military — Wilson highlighted that the Detroit Tigers Foundation recently donated $30,000 to Fisher House Detroit in support of free lodging for families of veterans hospitalized at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.
"That really shows just how much you care and how much patriotism you exude when you [interact] with our veterans and with your community," she said.
Wilson also offered a shoutout to one of the visiting athletes, Tigers starting pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long, who has seven family members who have served in multiple branches of the military between World War II and the Global War on Terrorism.
"That connection to military service is really why we do what we do … [and] it hits at that hard work [ethic] that's instilled throughout your family … your sport and everything you do," Wilson told Gipson-Long.
The pitcher said being a good, devoutly religious American requires a dedication to service in multiple capacities.
"Whether you're in the military, or working at a restaurant in the Pentagon, or being a baseball player, you can always find ways to serve other people," Gipson-Long said.
"If you're serving and giving your time to other people, that's what really matters," he added.
Regarding his multiple family members who have worn the uniform, Gipson-Long said he appreciates the great career options the military has provided them.
"I'm really proud of my family members that have [served] and [committed] their life to this country," he said.
Another visiting player, Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson, praised service members after the Pentagon tour.
"Their job is a hell of a lot more important than our job is," Torkelson said, adding that while athletes are understandably hard on themselves in pursuing extremely high standards, it's important to keep things in perspective.
"We [athletes] look up to them, and I don't know if they should be looking up to us, but they're unbelievable," Torkelson continued. "It's an honor that they're watching us play."