Earlier this summer, Washington Nationals assistant general manager Doug Harris revealed he was battling leukemia for a second time. Harris' wife Lisa created a GoFundMe page in an attempt to raise the $400,000 necessary to pay for his treatment.
The GoFundMe window has lapsed, with the Harris family raising less than half that amount.
Nats players are hosting an auction benefiting Asst. GM and VP of Player Personnel Doug Harris as he battles cancer. Winning bidders can pick up items from players themselves on 9/24! 🔗https://t.co/tCo7412IMm pic.twitter.com/o7fx37Mwl2
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 12, 2018
Some of the Nationals are now trying to help out Harris by orchestrating an auction. Included in the auction is a 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks World Series championship ring, courtesy of Nationals exec Bob Miller, who -- obviously enough -- served in a front-office role with that team. Here's what Miller told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic about putting his ring up for auction:
"I've got the memories from 2001, but the physical ring means nothing," Miller said. "It's sitting in a vault. I'm proud of it, but I don't need it."
That's a remarkable, kind gesture by Miller.
Still, Nationals fans are wondering, just if and when and how much will ownership pitch in to help out Harris?
the Lerner’s should absolutely just pay for it but okay
— squid (@NatsSquid) September 12, 2018
Where are the Lerners? This is embarrassing.
— All Quiet Now (@davekent005) September 12, 2018
Hey @lernerDc, this is reprehensible. Just pay for the man’s treatment.
— jbanal (@jbanal) September 12, 2018
Imagine having the Lerner’s pay for it instead of having their fans dish out even more money than they already do 🤦🏻♀️
— Meer.Nah (@meer_nah) September 12, 2018
Ted Lerner, whose family owns the Nationals, was estimated by Forbes to be worth $4 billion in 2014. At the time, that meant he was the second-wealthiest owner in baseball.
It's unclear if the Lerners have donated anything to Harris' cause.