When José Fermín, a young, underrated player, hit his first MLB home run in the sixth inning, putting the Cardinals up 5–4, he did more than just give the Cardinals a lead. It became the start of a humanitarian act.
After the game, manager Oliver Marmol appeared in the press room to talk more than just strategy:
“We’re not playing today just for the St. Louis fans. We’re playing for the families in Texas who are losing their homes, their schools, their ballparks—everything. The entire prize money from this game will go to relief efforts there.”
The decision included: internal team bonuses, game ticket sales, MVP awards, and individual contributions from the players.
Masyn Winn, who started the Cardinals’ first home run, said after the game:
“We play to win, but today, winning means doing something bigger than ourselves.”
Willson Contreras, who tied the game with a 2-RBI double, also took to social media overnight, calling for additional donations with the hashtag #SwingForTexas – quickly trending nationwide.
The Cardinals’ actions immediately received positive feedback from Texans. Local charities confirmed that the money would be used to buy clean water, essentials and rebuild essential infrastructure – especially school baseball fields, which were destroyed in the floods.
A video that quickly went viral showed a young boy in Houston clutching a Cardinals-branded glove, laughing and saying:
“They don’t know my name, but they help me.”
The Cardinals are known for their community involvement, with the “Cardinals Care” program in operation for more than two decades. But this is the first time the team has dedicated the entirety of their winnings on the night to relief efforts in a disaster area.
Even though the win was just a midseason game, the move cemented the Cardinals as not only a symbol of the city of St. Louis, but also the pride of the entire league.