Major League Baseball

Twins rookie wears stirrups so legally blind mom can see him

Published Apr. 14, 2015 1:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Mike Cole

Minnesota Twins rookie J.R. Graham might look like he’s paying homage to baseball’s past, but there’s a lot more to it than that.

Graham was able to crack the Twins’ opening day roster, and he probably pleased some baseball purists when he was seen wearing stirrups. However, Graham’s throwback look actually is a way to help his mother find him on the field.

Graham’s mother is legally blind, but she still has some vision. He wears the stirrups so when his mother is looking out on the field she’s able to pick out Graham.

Even when his mother, Julie, sits close to the field she has to use binoculars so every little thing helps.

“It’s a very nice gesture,” Julie told FOXSports.com in March. “It’s always nice to have something that stands out. I see people, but I don’t see details from a distance. I see all the players on the field, but I can’t see detail. I can’t tell who’s who.”

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