CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jerome Williams’ collection of gloves is growing.
Williams has been using a pink glove when he pitches since 2011. It’s a tribute to his mother, who died of breast cancer in 2001. When Williams slides his hand into the glove, he feels his mother’s name — Deborah — because it is stitched into the palm in raised letters.
On Monday morning, Williams reached into his locker in the Phillies’ clubhouse, pulled out a bright green glove and slid it onto his left hand.
St. Patrick’s Day is next week and Williams might break out his new glove that day. But that’s not the reason he asked his glove provider — Woodz — to make him the new mitt.
He has done his part to try to raise awareness for breast cancer. Now, he’s trying to raise awareness for other cancers.
The green glove is for liver cancer.
He has also ordered a light blue, a purple and a gold colored glove to raise awareness for prostate, pancreatic and childhood cancers, respectively.
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“Raising awareness is what it’s all about,” he said. “I just wanted to try to expand it.”
Williams said his trusty pink glove will still get most of the reps, but he will trot out the others, depending on how he feels that day.
So if you see Williams wearing a colorful glove one of these days, remember, he’s not trying to make a fashion statement. There’s more to it. Much more.