How pediatric cancer has become charity focus for Buster Posey in Wichita

An annual two-day trip to Wichita has become something former MLB star catcher Buster Posey looks forward to every year.

The 2012 National League MVP and three-time World Series champion arrived in Wichita on Tuesday in preparation to present the National Collegiate Catcher of the Year award at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet at Intrust Bank Arena on Wednesday evening.

Having a national award named in his honor is humbling, Posey said, but the real treat during his stay in Wichita is when he and the three finalists for the award visit Wesley Children’s Hospital.

“It’s something that’s become near and dear to myself and my wife is trying to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research,” Posey said. “You go and visit these kids in the hospital and sometimes you don’t realize how long the kids and their siblings and their parents have been there. If you can put a smile on their face and maybe distract them from what they’re going through, then it’s all worthwhile.”

After attending the 2016 Dick Vitale Gala, Posey and his wife, Kristen, were inspired to make pediatric cancer the focus of their philanthropic efforts.

Since forming their own charity foundation, BP28, the Poseys have helped raise more than $6 million in direct support to help raise awareness and funds for pioneering research and treatment. They have worked with the San Francisco Giants, Posey’s major-league home for all 12 years of his career, to host an annual gala at Oracle Park.

“We were kind of shocked to learn that pediatric cancer only gets like 4% of all cancer funding, so a lot of it has to be funded by private parties,” Posey said. “We’ve been really fortunate to be surrounded by great people who want to help and want to raise money. And the Giants have been particularly helpful lending their facilities and helping with costs where they can. It’s been great to see so many people working on something together to help families who are in a rough spot.”

Wednesday will begin with Posey and the three finalists, North Carolina State’s Jacob Cozard, Sam Houston State’s Walker Janek and Cal Poly’s Ryan Stafford, conducting a catcher’s camp for nearly 200 children at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium.

After their clinic, they will then head to Wesley Children’s Hospital for what usually promises to be the most rewarding part of their stay in Wichita.

The college-aged players are excited to spend the day with Posey.

“I grew up a Giants fan in California and I had a Buster Posey Fat Head in my room,” Stafford said. “He’s someone I’ve always looked up to on the field and off the field. (The hospital visit) is the first time I’ll get to do something like that, so it will be really cool to be able to do it alongside Buster.”

“Buster is someone I grew up idolizing. I mean, he’s the guy,” Cozart said. “Not just the skills, but also his leadership and what he was able to do for his whole career is what you strive for. He’s going to be a Hall-of-Fame catcher and he’s one of the best of all time, so why wouldn’t you want to be like that guy?”

Posey said he has been more than happy to discuss the in’s and out’s of being a major-league catcher with the finalists, but more often than not, their conversations usually revolve around non-baseball things.

He says he never pushes charity work, reasoning that it must be an internal drive, but notes that the trip to the children’s hospital each year has always made an impact on the college-aged players.

“It’s really impactful to actually go and see the kids because it’s hard,” Posey said. “I credit my wife for making me do it. She’s tougher than I am. If she wasn’t pushing me, I would be like, ‘Man, this is just really hard.’ But there’s a joy to giving back and giving these kids some sort of distraction and putting a smile on their face. That kind of stuff goes a really long way.”

Before Posey hands out his award at the end of Wednesday night’s event, the Wichita Sports Commission will dole out a host of other awards for high school and college athletes in the area. Wichita native and former NBA player Maurice Evans, a Collegiate graduate, will also have a conversation moderated by WSU play-by-play announcer Mike Kennedy.

Greater Wichita Sports Banquet award finalists

Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year

Adryana Shelby, Wichita Northwest track and field

Hayden Snodgrass, Andover Central volleyball and basketball

Elizabeth Tjaden, Clearwater volleyball, basketball and softball

Barry Sanders High School Male Athlete of the Year

Bryce Barkdull, Andover Central track and field

Omari Elias, Kapaun Mt. Carmel football and wrestling

DaeOnte Mitchell, Wichita East football

Junior College Female Athlete of the Year

Rossana Papa, Cowley College volleyball

Kiki Smith, Hutchinson Community College basketball

Freddie Wallace, Butler Community College basketball

Junior College Male Athlete of the Year

Caden Kickhaefer, Butler Community College baseball

Jeff Nwankwo, Cowley College basketball

Cooper Wesslund, Hutchinson Community College baseball

College Female Athlete of the Year

Patricia Limo, Newman cross country

Destiny Masters, Wichita State track and field

Gianna Moreno, Friends wrestling

College Male Athlete of the Year

Michael Beltran, McPherson tennis

Caden Favors, Wichita State baseball

Keegan Martin, Friends football

Professional Athlete of the Year

David Banuelos, Wichita Wind Surge

Jay Dickman, Wichita Thunder

Emma Koepp, Wichita Aero FC