Hunter Goodman’s two-homer night in Chicago carried a little extra meaning beyond the Rockies’ 9-6 win over the White Sox on Saturday. The catcher’s power surge helped seal the American League Central for Cleveland, while sending the White Sox into the AL Wild Card field.
By Sunday, the ripple effect had reached Denver-area students. Guardians fans, grateful for the result that delivered their division title, turned a burst of social-media celebration into donations for Clothes to Kids of Denver, the charity supported by Goodman and his wife, Sydney.
A big night with Cleveland watching
Goodman went deep twice against the White Sox, and Cleveland’s front office took notice as the Guardians wrapped up the division race from afar.
Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said he had long admired Goodman, but joked that Saturday’s performance elevated that appreciation considerably. Antonetti said a thank-you note might be headed Goodman’s way.
The Rockies also acknowledged their unexpected role in Cleveland’s celebration online. The post drew roughly 1,200 reposts and nearly 700 comments by Sunday afternoon, with Guardians supporters filling much of the response with appreciation.
Fans turn gratitude into help for students
That response led Cleveland and Colorado social-media staffs to connect over a simple question: could fans direct their thanks toward a cause chosen by Goodman?
The answer was Clothes to Kids of Denver, an organization serving children and young adults from ages 3 through 21 across the 11-county Denver metropolitan area. Since opening in 2008, the group has supplied school clothing to students who need it.
Clothes to Kids of Denver currently provides more than 15,000 wardrobes each year, with each wardrobe containing at least 21 clothing items. Its total since launch is nearing 140,000 wardrobes.
Donations began arriving following the call from fans. By mid-afternoon Sunday, approximately $2,500 had been contributed to the organization.
Supporters of the Rockies, Guardians and any other club can donate directly to Clothes to Kids of Denver or contribute through the Colorado Rockies Foundation’s charitable work. Goodman’s two swings in Chicago may have helped decide a division race, but the weekend’s best follow-through came off the field.
