NLDS home runs by Carpenter, Holliday and Adams result in $500 contribution from another Matt
St. Louis Chef Mathew Unger challenges Cardinals fans and area businesses to match his gift to SSM Cardinal Glennon
ST. LOUIS, MO (Oct. 8, 2014) – Mathew’s Kitchen is donating $100 to Homers for Health for every home run hit by a St. Louis Cardinal named Matt during the post-season and Chef Mathew Unger is challenging area businesses to match his gift. After the Cardinals clinched the National League Division Series (NLDS) title last night, the popular family-owned restaurant had committed to $500 in donations to help the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. In addition, Unger says dinner for two is on him for any Cardinals fan or business who drops off their matching gift check (made payable to Cardinal Glennon) after the post-season.
St. Louis Cardinals named “Matthew” have hit a total of five home runs in the post season so far, with Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter belting out home runs in Game 1 of the NLDS, followed by two more from Carpenter in Game 2 and 3, and topped off with the game winner hit by Matt Adams in Game 4, clinching the NLDS and advancing the team to the National League Championships Series.
Homers for Health, a pledge program led by Matt Holliday, Jason Motte and Adam Wainwright, raises funds for the medical center for every home run hit or strikeout thrown by the Cardinals during the regular season.
Donating was an easy decision for Executive Chef Mathew Unger and his wife Maggie, as their son Eddie’s life was saved at SSM Cardinal Glennon. Born with a blocked ureter which was causing his kidney’s to enlarge, the family turned to the hospital for their world-class medical care. At 8-months-old, Eddie underwent two surgeries, in and out of the medical center for nearly a month.
The family praises the staff and the care they received and now refers to the hospital as “Eddie’s Hospital” in their home.
Matt Holliday visits with patient Eddie Unger in the Cardianls Clubhouse
“Everyone who took care of Eddie, and everyone we interacted with was not only professional, but took the extra steps to comfort us during a very difficult time for our family,” said Chef Unger. “We will never forget the compassion that was shown to us, which is what makes Cardinal Glennon such a special place, and we want to give back whenever we can.”
Eddie is now seven years old and doing great, playing soccer, basketball, karate and of course baseball. He is convinced that one day he will be playing Major League Baseball, but will only play for the Cardinals. His favorite player is Matt Holliday, although he believes that Stan Musial is the best player ever.