ST. LOUIS — In a heartwarming display of compassion and community spirit, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson took time before Sunday night’s game to host several families from the Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation (MOHF) — an organization dedicated to supporting children with congenital heart defects and the families that stand by them.
As the summer sun lit up Busch Stadium on June 23, it wasn’t just baseball that brought people together. On this day, hope, courage, and connection took center stage.
“Before we play for the crowd, we show up for the community,” Burleson shared quietly, as he greeted a young fan with a fist bump that turned into a smile too big to hide.
Burleson met with children and their loved ones, signing autographs, posing for photos, and creating moments that transcended the field. One child sat on his father’s shoulders, beaming with joy as Burleson knelt down to greet them, a gesture as sincere as any swing of the bat.
Families wore matching shirts bearing the MOHF emblem, united not just by their battles, but by the love and support surrounding them. A group photo on the field, with Cardinals logos flying proudly alongside MOHF’s banner, captured the essence of a team that extends far beyond the dugout.
MOHF is a nonprofit that provides financial, emotional, and practical support to families whose children are facing congenital heart defects. Their mission is to ease the burden in ways that are personalized, compassionate, and impactful.
For many of the attending families, events like this offer more than just distraction — they offer dignity, strength, and the reminder that they are not alone.
In a game often defined by numbers and scoreboards, this event reminded everyone at Busch Stadium what truly matters. Alec Burleson didn’t just represent the Cardinals on the field — he represented what the franchise stands for off it: empathy, resilience, and a commitment to giving back.
As the first pitch approached, the day’s most powerful moments had already happened — not in the batter’s box, but on the grass where a child’s laughter met a hero’s handshake.