Remember Batkid, the 5-year-old leukemia survivor who stole the hearts of thousands when he spent a day "fighting crime" in San Francisco last week -- a production that included, among other things, the rescue of San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal?
In case you forgot, here's a recap of the young boy, Miles Scott, at AT&T Park:
Well, Batkid's day as a superhero came with a price, as most things do, and on Thursday it was announced exactly how much the city of San Francisco spent to make Scott's wishes come true. The cost? $105,000.
According to the Associated Press, the majority of the money "went toward renting a sound system, video screens and other equipment at the last minute to accommodate the surprisingly large crowds" that convened to watch Scott receive a chocolate key to the city.
Additionally, a spokesperson from the mayor's office said that neither the police department nor public works office incurred any overtime expenses to accommodate Scott's day, and the city said it also expects to recover some of the money from private donations.
Still, however, many remain upset at the amount that was spent making one kid's day when, some argue, that money could have gone toward the betterment of several lives instead.
But here's the thing. That money wasn't all about Batkid. Surely, it was spent to put his day together, but the end result was an event that brought joy to everyone who was a part of it and made many, many days better.
And while $105,000 certainly is a lot, it's also worth noting that the cash came from the same pot that is used to fund the city's July 4th fireworks, as well as championship parades -- including the Giants' 2012 parade, which cost the city $225,000.
There will always be more worthwhile causes than there is money to fund them, and there will always be wet blankets who like to ruin everyone else's fun.
But at the end of the day, Batkid's crime fighting quest was an endeavor worth funding, and the memories it generated will last a lifetime. And if that means a more low-key fireworks show next Independence Day or a shorter parade route next time the Giants win a World Series, I think I can live with that.
Now, for some links:
• Pau Gasol will donate $1,000 to Typhoon Haiyan relief for every point he scores Friday.
• Some Seahawks fans purchased a brick at the new 49ers stadium, then sent the remaining donations for the brick to Bryan Stow's family.
• Via @gifdsports, Dwight Howard has heard enough of your heckling, so here, have this ball and shut up:
• The incident above then prompted Vince Carter -- Howard's former teammate in Orlando -- to call Howard the biggest crybaby he knows.
• Lane Kiffin says Ed Orgeron should be the head coach at USC going forward.
• Louisville is looking into changing Papa John's Stadium from a medium to a large. And there's your pizza joke for the day.
• Clarke MacArthur of the Ottawa Senators went between the legs for an assist against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday:
• Joe Flacco says he finds it annoying when he throws interceptions. I'd imagine his fans feel the same way.
• You can bid on two different sets of beard trimmings from Red Sox players. Ew.
• Baron Davis stars in Save the Last Dunk:
• Could John Calipari replace Mike Woodson as the Knicks coach if Woodson gets fired?
• A French weather girl did her forecast in the nude -- sort of -- after losing a bet that France wouldn't make the World Cup.
• The Rangers traded Ian Kinsler, then sent out an email blast using Ian Kinsler to sell tickets:
Rangers send e-mail to season ticket holders this morning with picture of traded Ian Kinsler pic.twitter.com/eJnTfusYMG
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) November 21, 2013
• Did Tennessee football players cheat their way out of weightlifting under Derek Dooley?
• Ed Reed says he blames Wade Phillips for him being cut in Houston.
• Josh Reddick lost a "beard-off" fan vote against WWE superstar Daniel Bryan and had to have his beard shaved as a result:
• College football players keep getting bigger.
For those wondering..... pic.twitter.com/doSJTfZ6Fo
— Josh Reddick (@joshreddick16) November 20, 2013
• Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter is making his retirement official.
• Notre Dame joins the "send a recruit an obnoxious number of letters" club:
262 Letters Yes You Read Correctly 262 Letters From Notre Dame!! They Are Calling It My #PotOfGold #WorldRecord #ND pic.twitter.com/DPkgHnI29Y
— Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ (@FballIsLife69) November 21, 2013
