SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On the mound, Rockies’ pitcher Jake McGee’s main focus is to throw strikes and get batters out. During the Christmas season, he swaps his glove for wrapping paper.
McGee and his wife, Morgan, play Santa and Mrs. Claus and deliver presents to foster children.
“It was pretty rewarding. My wife and I have done it probably the last four or five years,” McGee said. “It’s just kind of like a tradition for us.”
There is another reason the holiday is special to the couple.
“It was me and my wife’s wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve, so we wanted to do something nice and do something for other people on that day instead of for each other,” McGee said.
Helping those in need is important to many of the Rockies players, and McGee is not the only one who takes on the role of the man in the red suit.
“My wife and I at Christmas time go and deliver presents to needy kids,” first baseman Mark Reynolds said. “Two years ago, we gave presents to kids from Africa that were refugees. It was maybe some socks or a new pair of shoes or something, and they acted like it was the best thing in the world. It just puts things in perspective on how good we really have it over here.”
Reynolds is also involved in the ziMS Foundation, a charity that supports the fight against multiple sclerosis.
ziMS was founded by Washington Nationals’ first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, whose mother Cheryl was diagnosed with the disease in 1995.
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“We grew up together and we were close buddies, and I’ve known his mom for a long time and I’ve seen the toll it has taken on her and his whole family,” Reynolds said. “I just wanted to do anything I could to help out his cause and further along any possible cures that can happen.”
Reynolds has helped Zimmerman at charity events for the organization in Virginia, including golf tournaments, auctions and other fundraisers.
While Reynolds is involved in another player’s organization, Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez began his own called the Carlos Gonzalez Foundation in 2014.
“Our main focus is kids, children’s hospital, boys and girl club,” said Gonzalez. “We went back to Venezuela and did some event, too, helping kids and sharing our experiences. It’s just about having fun with them and it’s a great cause.”
A main reason he started the organization is because of his home country.
“Growing up in Venezuela, I noticed there are a lot of people who need help,” Gonzalez said, “I’m very blessed, and I’m just trying to do the same thing to young kids and make sure they’re healthy and going to school and they’re doing the right things to be a good human being when they grow.”
Most importantly, he does it for the children.
“Well, it’s always fun to see their faces and smiles. That’s what you do it for,” Gonzalez said. “You don’t do it for any other reason. Just make sure they’re enjoying every single moment with you, and I’m glad I’m able to do this.”
