This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
If you notice Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo wearing some unique cleats on Sundays this season, he’ll be glad you did.
Not because he’s trying to make a fashion statement, but because he’s trying to raise awareness for Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that not enough people have heard about. Supporting that cause is important to Lovullo, because it hits close to home for him.
Arizona assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye’s daughter, Mia, was born with the condition, which according to the Cleveland Clinic is characterized by many symptoms, including unique physical features, delayed development, cognitive challenges and cardiovascular abnormalities.
“Mia Sawdaye is easily the toughest kid I know,” Lovullo said. “She’s had to go through different heart procedures because of Williams Syndrome and has had a number of other challenges. But with the biggest smile on her face, she continues marching through life, and for me there's nobody that shows more courage in what she's dealing with. It's inspiring.”
Sawdaye got the idea for the cleats when he saw running back Zach Charbonnet of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Taki Taimani wear cleats to raise awareness for Williams Syndrome as part of the My Cause My Cleats initiative. NFL players are allowed to wear personalized cleats for two weeks during the season.
Sawdaye tracked down who made the shoes, former Minor League pitcher Alex Katz, and thought the name sounded familiar. Sure enough, it was the same person who had custom designed the shoes that Lovullo wore when he managed the 2024 National League All-Star team.
“I just kind of started piecing it together,” Sawdaye said. “And then when we were at the Winter Meetings, Torey and I were sitting there and I asked him if he knew Alex Katz, and he said it was the guy who did his All-Star cleats. I asked him, ‘If I order a pair of these, will you wear them sometime during the season to raise awareness?’”
There was no convincing needed.
“I said to him that I would absolutely love to wear the shoes,” Lovullo said.
The Nike shoes stand out with the bright colors and they have Mia’s name on the swoosh as well as a Williams Syndrome symbol on the back along with Lovullo’s No. 17.
Lovullo surprised Sawdaye by wearing them on Opening Day, when he figured they would get some extra attention, and he wears them for every Sunday home game.
“It's not my style to wear something that stands out like that,” Lovullo said. “People know that and they ask, and it gives me a chance to say why I’m doing this and what they represent. There's definitely a reason for it, and that is to support her and love her the best way we know how.”
Arizona GM Mike Hazen asked Sawdaye to order five pairs for himself and his four sons, and Lovullo’s wife, Kristen, also requested a pair.
Mia loves Hershey Kisses, and Kristen Lovullo always makes sure to have them on hand when she knows she’s going to see her. So, the pair that Kristen has include a Hershey’s Kiss on the side of the shoe. Kristen wears hers on Sundays when she’s at Chase Field.
“Hopefully it raises some awareness of Williams Syndrome,” Sawdaye said. “You just never know, it could impact one person who sees Torey wearing it and learns about why and thinks, ‘I know someone with Williams Syndrome’ or someone sees it and wants to help raise money. We’re thankful that Torey has done this.”