Plenty of athletes have stepped up to lend a helping hand in this time of need as sports have been shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Mets pitcher Steven Matz is one of them.
The 28-year-old southpaw announced on Friday via Twitter that he and his wife, Taylor, are donating $32,000 to Elmhurst Hospital in Queens — about a 15-minute drive from Citi Field — through their Tru32 foundation, in addition to also donating to the NYPD and FDNY during this time.
Matz is not the type of player to publicize his community work, but it has not gone unnoticed. He has been nominated for two Roberto Clemente Awards and was given the Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Community Service Award by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America this past year.
“If I'm being completely honest, and it might sound cliche … but it all comes from my faith,” the introverted Matz said. “I'm a Christian. I read the Bible. I read what it says, and it says to love others and help others. That's our calling.”
Matz is not the only Mets player chipping in, either.
Pete Alonso has been recording personalized videos for fans on the app Cameo, which people pay a celebrity or athlete to read a message to them. Alonso is sending a portion of those bookings to his foundation, Homer for Heroes, which helps wounded veterans.
Per Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News, Marcus Stroman, another Long Island native, is using his apparel company — "Height Doesn't Measure Heart" — to support the Food Bank of New York City. Jeff McNeil is also teaming up with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and has set up a raffle for anyone who donates $25 or more will earn a chance to win a signed pair of cleats from the Mets All-Star.