[Excerpt from The Kansas City Star]

Royals pitcher Brad Keller was taught about sex trafficking while in high school, but it was an experience in his hometown that really opened his eyes.

A friend was driving around Flowery Branch, Georgia, at 2 a.m. when he spotted an semi truck.

“Eighteen wheelers don’t drive through small towns, so he followed the 18-wheeler around and witnessed some stuff go down, called the cops,” Keller recalled. “The cops came through and busted the whole thing, and that jump started our awareness in our hometown. It’s always been something we’ve watched out for.”

So when the Royals agreed to partner with Strike Out Slavery, an organization started by Albert and Deidre Pujols to educate people about modern-day slavery, Keller quickly agreed to act as a player ambassador.

The Royals will play host to a Strike Out Slavery event at Kauffman Stadium on Aug. 17 that includes a postgame concert by Lauryn Hill.

Read the full article here.