PHILADELPHIA - Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber put on a spectacular show during Monday night's All-Star Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and showed his support for a Berks County family experiencing tragedy.
"It was from a previous game I originally noticed it last night at the Home Run derby, it was a lot more prominent," said Sgt. Nicholas Phillips with Central Berks Regional Police. " That's when I started to notice messages from other guys in the county."
During the contest, Schwarber wore a black memorial bracelet for fallen Central Berks Police Officer Kristen Yeager, and her kids were on hand.
"It was awesome to be able to one have them get that news that they were gonna be able to come to the home run derby and two give them the news and to see the kids' faces," said Kyle Schwarber. "It's pretty cool."
Kristen's husband said in a statement, "Kyle is the man! The Yeager family can not thank him enough for his encouragement and interactions with the kids through these rough times. It's his foundation and people like him that make this world a better place to live! Thank you so much, Kyle, and keep hitting BOMBS!"
"I actually just got off the phone with Kristen's husband, the Schwarber, Kyle, has been fantastic," said Phillips. " They were down there a week or two ago for batting practice made time to sit down with the kids, gave them all signed bats. Kyle had one-on-one time with them both nights last night as well."
The Central Berks Police Department shared the news on social media, and it continues to spread the story of Kristen's sacrifice and legacy.
"We're just a small department in Berks County," said Chief Johnson. " To have him honor her in that way, it puts it on the national stage."