Baseball, pizza, and giving back to the community. This unique combination took center stage during a recent event featuring San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Ryan Walker and ace Logan Webb, alongside 13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani. The trio gathered at the George Mark Children’s House in a heartwarming event as part of the 9th annual Slice House seasonal pizza fundraiser. It wasn’t just about slices and toppings but raising funds and spirits.
From the Mound to the Pizza Counter
Ryan Walker and Logan Webb swapped fastballs for pizza dough as Tony Gemignani taught the players, patients, and families how to craft the perfect pie. The legendary pizzaiolo didn’t hold back, tossing dough and offering tips like a pro. “We taught them how to toss pizza dough. Walker was a little nervous and even dropped it once, but it ended up being a lot of fun,” Tony shared with a chuckle.
Walker, undaunted by his rookie pizza mishap, embraced the experience and added his personal spin to the event, crafting a white pizza with Alfredo sauce, mushrooms, smoked bacon, and onions. “I’ve always liked white sauce pizza, so I wanted to do something different,” Walker said proudly.
Logan Webb also brought his A-game to the pizza challenge, but according to Tony, Walker might have just edged him out. “Walker was a little better on this occasion,” Tony noted.
Fighting for More Than Just Wins
While the pizza-making featured plenty of laughs and friendly competition, the heart of the event was the fundraising effort. A portion of the proceeds from every slice sold at Tony’s Slice House goes directly to the George Mark Children’s House. The campaign raised over $69,000 last year, and expectations are high to surpass that number this season.
“We’ve had many Giants players participate over the years, including Brandon Belt and Joe Panik,” said Tony. “It’s always great to see athletes stepping in to give back to the community.”
A Community Built on Competition and Fun
The competitive camaraderie among the players was evident and contagious, creating a lively atmosphere around the fundraiser. “Whether it’s baseball or pizza tossing, we always want to win,” said Walker. “It’s part of who we are.”
For known pizza enthusiast Tony Gemignani, events like these underscore the connection between food, sports, and community. His passion for pizza-making aligns perfectly with his commitment to supporting local causes.
“It’s always great to see athletes stepping in to give back to the community.”
– Tony Gemignani, World Champion Pizzaiolo and Philantropist
Interactions That Go Beyond the Game
Beyond the kitchen antics, Tony and the Giants players took time to connect personally with patients, families, staff, and volunteers. They offered tossing tutorials, signed autographs, and happily posed for photos — bringing plenty of smiles and laughter along the way.
“We are huge baseball fans! It has been an amazing fun experience. A day like today gives us a chance to relax and have some fun — which is not normal to us,” shared one mom, capturing just how much a visit like this can mean to families at George Mark.
“It has been an amazing fun experience. A day like today gives us a chance to relax and have some fun — which is not normal to us.”
– George Mark parent
Wrapping Up the Perfect Slice
On this special day, the focus shifted from hits and home runs to dough spinning and sauce spreading, proving that even outside the stadium, teamwork and community spirit can create lasting impact.
Whether you’re a Giants fan, a pizza lover, or a supporter of community-focused initiatives, this event delivered on all fronts. And thanks to these culinary hopefuls and Tony’s expertise, the real winners are those benefiting from the funds raised for a great cause.
Want to taste a slice for yourself? Visit one of Tony’s Slice House locations, where every bite helps make a difference.
