To begin the process of reaching out to the boys, Grier and Wright were whisked away last week to The Steve Wilkos Show studio in Stamford, Connecticut for taping. On set, they were able to share their life stories with the boys, reach out to them as mentors, and present them with Mariners jerseys. According to one producer from the show, their mother said the boys, after meeting with the players, “had a new found excitement that she had not seen in them in a long time.” This Sunday, at the Mariners game against the Fayetteville Guard, the boys, their mother, and an uncle will be guests of the Mariners, meet with the players before the game, and The Steve Wilkos Show crew will be on hand.

Grier said, “Taping the show was an experience like no other,” and Wright noted, “Being apart of the show was a great experience. The reason for doing the show was even better. I love helping people and being able to do it in that environment was truly a unique experience. “
In this one-hour nationally syndicated talk show, Wilkos, a former U.S. Marine, Chicago police officer and TV veteran, helps people stand up for themselves and dishes out help to people from all walks of life.  "Many of the guests who come on my show are facing serious problems and are crying out for help from someone who has their best interests at heart," the 6-foot 3-inch host says. 

Over the past two seasons, Wilkos helped authorities take pedophiles off the streets, gave dozens of women the courage to walk away from abusive relationships and coached teens against the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  He uses tough love to approach a wide range of issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, child endangerment, gang affiliation, and racism, among others. 
Wilkos puts evil in its place and helps victims reach their full potential with his no-nonsense attitude, sense of discipline and code of honor he learned from his days in the Marines and Chicago Police Department.  He goes above and beyond the role of compassionate talk show host by providing people with the tools and building blocks to help them get their lives back on track.  
"I believe the moral code I was taught during my marine training, the street smarts I picked up as a police officer and the patience and compassion I've developed from becoming a father have prepared me to help my guests get through the hard times they are facing," Wilkos says.  He adds, “One of the things that I’m proudest of – though sometimes it is a long and difficult journey – is that we provide victims of crime with closure that they so desperately need.”

A Chicago native, Wilkos served as a Marine before his 12-year stint with the Chicago Police Department. During his time as a Chicago beat cop, he kept the streets safe in the city's volatile 14th District (Shakespeare). He retired from the force in 2001 and now devotes himself to his family and talk show.
In September 2008, The Steve Wilkos Show teamed up with USA CARES, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial support to military families in their time of need.  As a national spokesperson for the organization, Wilkos is proud to use the show to highlight the challenges facing military personnel and their families upon returning from war.
For the 2008-2009 season, “The Steve Wilkos Show” was the only first-run syndicated talk show to deliver year-to-year growth.  The Steve Wilkos Show increased year-to-year growth by 11% among Total Viewers, 17% in Women 25-54, and 20% in Adults 25-54.
Staying true to his police roots, Wilkos is fully committed to making the world a safer place to live.  He continues to help Illinois authorities track down the man who viciously murdered five women at a Chicago suburban Lane Bryant store. 

He has also worked with police agencies in Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, and even the Royal Canadian Mounties to help apprehend criminals.

"The Steve Wilkos Show" is taped in front of a live studio audience in Stamford, CT.  The show is distributed in national syndication by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. The show airs locally on Baltimore Channel 54 and in Washington, DC on WDCW, CW Channel 50 at noon Monday through Friday. An air date for this episode has not been announced yet.

For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.