World Series star Jaime Garcia raises money for March of Dimes

McALLEN — Grinding their way through comeback after comeback, the St. Louis Cardinals played 180 games en route to a World Series championship.

Jack McCreery watched 177 of them.

McCreery, a lifelong Cardinals fan, missed a few games early in the season when his cable went out but otherwise sweated through every pitch in what he called a “once-in-a-lifetime” postseason. So when he heard St. Louis pitcher Jaime Garcia would be signing autographs to raise money for the March of Dimes, McCreery and his wife, Chelsea, dressed head to toe in Cardinals gear for a chance to meet the star.

“They came out of nowhere” to win the World Series, said McCreery, a Winter Texan from Oklahoma who wore a jersey bearing the name of Garcia’s batterymate, Yadier Molina. “We’ll see a lot of new faces this year but they’ve got a really strong nucleus. It’s a good pitching staff.”

And Garcia is a big part of it.

The Sharyland High graduate won 13 games for the second-consecutive year and finished his 2011 season by starting Game 6, widely considered one of the best games in the history of the Fall Classic. With the team’s victory parade complete, Garcia has spent the offseason with family in McAllen before he reports to spring training next month.

And when he was approached about a March of Dimes fundraiser by two former teachers at Sharyland High, Garcia quickly agreed, reasoning he could meet Valley fans and raise money for a worthy cause.

More than 100 people were at Thursday’s event where Garcia autographed photos of himself and posed for pictures with fans.

“Since I got home, I’ve been going to meet with some fans and a group of kids. I enjoy doing this and sharing my story,” Garcia said. “I like it, especially if it’s for a good cause.”

Fans from South Texas and northern Mexico will have another opportunity this offseason to meet Garcia, on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Hobbies and Heroes, 5401 N. 10^th St., No. 127, McAllen.

Garcia will be available for photos with a $20 minimum donation to the March of Dimes, the national organization that conducts life-saving research and educational efforts for premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.

Fans, who should bring their own camera, can donate $50 to get an autographed baseball card while a $75 contribution grants them a World Series baseball. Luis Garcia, the director for McAllen’s March of Dimes office, said all proceeds from the pitcher’s appearances will help fund research and education on premature births.

“He’s a local sports hero, and it’s a great way for him to give back to our community,” Luis Garcia said.

Jaime Garcia, who at 25 joined Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela as the only Mexican-born pitcher to start in the World Series, said any Little Leaguer dreams of making it to the big leagues and then winning a World Series. After he tossed a seven-inning gem in his first World Series start, Garcia said he was “a little nervous” before his second start when he needed ward off the Cardinals’ elimination.

What followed for Garcia was a front row seat to a Game 6 masterpiece — one that Mission resident Alonzo Laurel could hardly believe.

“It was a classic World Series,” said Laurel, a hardcore baseball fan who showed up three hours early to be the first in line at Thursday’s autograph session with his wife, Sandra, and friend, Claudia Lejia. “It’s cool to meet one of its stars.”

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Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government, Edinburg and legislative issues for The Monitor. He can be reached at jjanes@themonitor.com and (956) 683-4424.

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Please Note: The schedule for Saturday's autograph session have changed. Garcia will now be available beginning at 12:30 p.m. through 2 p.m.

IF YOU GO
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia will raise money for the March of Dimes, the national charitable organization committed to research and education on premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.
WHEN: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Hobbies & Heroes, 5401 N. 10^th St., No. 127, McAllen
WHAT: A donation of $20 entitles fans entrance to the event where they receive an autographed photo from Garcia and can take a picture with him. A $50 donation provides them the addition of his autographed baseball card while a $75 donation nets an autographed baseball and card.
Fans who want to take a picture with Garcia must bring their own camera.