Hurricane Harvey has swept into the southeastern part of Texas and has caused unprecedented and catastrophic flooding and damage. Thousands of citizens have been displaced amid ongoing rescue efforts.
The city of Houston has been severely affected, and several professional athletes and sports teams have used their platform to raise awareness and raise donations. Houston Texas defensive end J.J Watt immediately blew past his goal and has helped raise over $2 million as of Tuesday afternoon.
Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander increased his initial donation of $4 million to $10 million. Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association combined to donate $1 million for those in need.
St. Louis Cardinals infield Matt Carpenter announced he will donate $30,000 toward hurricane relief each time he hits a home run for the remainder of the season.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and Houston native Scott Kazmir has also gotten involved, donating money to four separate organizations, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Son of Houston Scott Kazmir donated $10K to HOU SPCA; $10K to Coalition for Homeless; $10K Houston Food Bank; $100K Bayou City Fellowship
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 29, 2017
Kazmir grew up in Houston and still lives there today, and played for the Astros during the second half of the 2015 season. Due to a hip injury that’s caused mechanical issues and a dip in velocity, Kazmir has not yet pitched for the Dodgers this season.
He has one year remaining on the three-year, $48 million contract he signed with Los Angeles. While Kazmir and others are doing their part to provide aid, the Astros and Texas Rangers found themselves in a jam.
They were set to begin a three-game series at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, but due to the hurricane, were unable to move ahead as planned. The Rangers weren’t willing to switch a series later in the season to play this week at Globe Life Park in Arlington, so the teams are instead playing at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays announced all ticket, concessions and parking revenues from the series are being donated to relief efforts.
