ST. LOUIS — St. Louis was home of Harrison Bader for six years and he remains popular there despite joining the Yankees. Returning there after 11 months, the centerfielder made sure to spread joy and visited a children’s hospital to meet young patients there.
Harrison Bader had planned this return visit almost two months in advance, making sure to stop by the city he once called home. Just before the scheduled series opener between the Yankees and Cardinals at Busch Stadium got postponed due to rain, Harrison Bader took the opportunity to visit Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
The two-time Gold Glove award winner spent time talking to the patients, posing for photos with them, and graciously signing whatever items they presented to him.
Harrison Bader’s heartfelt gesture
The visit brought immense joy to everyone, and it also sparked a popular question among those present in the room, eagerly awaiting Harrison Bader’s response. The Yankees star fondly mentioned that he was surprised to know that some of the kids at the hospital remembered his old hairstyle. He also explained that when they saw his shorter hair, which adheres to the Yankees’ facial hair policy, it came as a shock to them.
Harrison Bader joked that his hair had garnered more attention than his face while he was a Cardinal. He expressed his amazement at the opportunity to interact with the children, emphasizing that they are truly special for various reasons. The in-form Yankees star conveyed his happiness and gratitude for being able to spend time with them and be a part of their experience.
Missouri state Sen. Brian Williams and Nick Ragone, executive vice president and founder of the Ascension Charity, had planned the visit of Harrison Bader to Cardinal Glennon. Ragone explained in a phone interview that the idea behind the visit was for Harrison Bader to express his gratitude upon returning to St. Louis. According to him, the player has a deep love for the city and wanted to show appreciation to the fans.
He highlighted that within just 10 hours of arriving, Harrison Bader’s priority was to visit Cardinal Glennon. Ragone emphasized the significance of this action, stating that it speaks volumes about the player’s character. Ragone shared a picture of the visit on Twitter, and it quickly gained attention because fans recognize the genuine connection Harrison Bader has with St. Louis. Ragone emphasized that the centerfielder truly loves being part of the community and misses it dearly.
Harrison Bader expressed his thoughts on being able to interact with children and bring joy to their day. He considered it a successful day when he could make them laugh and smile. Harrison Bader described the experience as wonderful and hoped that the children had as much fun as he did. He emphasized the importance of giving back to the community, especially in St. Louis, which he holds dear.
Such acts were a regular for Bader
He started with the Cardinals and played his first game in 2017. Prior to being traded to the Yankees during last year’s trade deadline, Harrison Bader regularly visited youth organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, and the Urban League, and even made a guest appearance at Meramec Elementary School in Clayton, where he served as a substitute teacher in 2022.
Even after Harrison Bader got traded to a different team in a different league and time zone, he made sure to continue supporting St. Louis and being involved in community groups.
According to Ragone, the bond between Bader and the community remains unbroken despite the trade.
After being traded to New York in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery, Harrison Bader had been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. However, he managed to recover and made a comeback, joining the Yankees’ active roster towards the end of September. The center fielder made a significant impact by hitting five home runs, driving in six runs batted in (RBIs), and achieving an impressive 1.262 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in nine postseason games for the Yankees.
Harrison Bader stated that he wanted to make an impact and play hard. He mentioned the importance of keeping his head down and focusing on playing winning baseball. According to him, when one focuses on these simple things and maintains a quiet and focused approach, good things tend to happen. Bader stated that he would continue on this path.
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