ST. LOUIS – While his teammates are still fighting every day on the field, Jordan Walker – the most promising young talent of the St. Louis Cardinals – is fighting a silent “battle”: acute appendicitis, forcing him to be hospitalized and out of action indefinitely since late June.
But instead of lamenting the physical pain or regretting the opportunity to play, the 22-year-old chose to do something that made the baseball community choke up: sending his entire early-season All-Star bonus along with a touching handwritten message to the victims of the historic flood in Texas.
I can’t play, but I can still help”
According to the Cardinals, immediately after hearing about the severe flooding in Texas that left tens of thousands homeless and children separated from their families, Jordan made a video call to the leadership from his hospital bed, requesting:
“Please send tents, clean water and teddy bears to the children on my behalf. They need hope more than ever, and if I can’t play for the team right now… then I want to at least play for the hearts of those who are losing.”
Walker donated $100,000 to buy tents, milk and medical supplies for children in evacuation centers in Kerrville, Texas.
In particular, 100 teddy bears with handwritten letters were distributed, with the message:
“I’m in the hospital, but I still hold you in my heart. We will all get better – in different ways.”
After the Cardinals posted a photo of Jordan lying in his hospital bed holding a teddy bear identical to the one sent to Texas children, social media exploded:
Fanpage @MLBHeart: “Jordan Walker didn’t have to play to be a hero.”
A Texas mother commented: “My daughter never knew who Jordan was. But last night she hugged his bear and said, ‘He sure is a good guy, Mom.’”
Jordan Walker may be out of the Cardinals lineup for a few more weeks. But in his gentle act amid physical pain, he hit the most touching home run of the season—in the hearts of those who are grieving.
“We all have to stop playing at some point. But no one should stop being kind.” – Jordan Walker, from his hospital room, to Texas.