HOUSTON – In a surprising and inspiring move, Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick announced he will donate $500,000 to homeless programs in Houston, with the message: “I want to be remembered for the good I’ve done when I’m gone.”
McCormick, who announced his departure from the team when he was placed in free agency after being cut from the Astros’ 40-man roster, chose to turn his personal upheaval into a community effort.
His words and actions quickly became emblematic of a player who not only thought about his career, but also the community behind the field.
The $500,000 will be distributed to several Houston nonprofits focused on providing temporary housing, medical assistance, personal hygiene, and reintegration programs for the homeless. McCormick shared during a media call that, after five years with the Astros, he felt the need to “leave a mark” beyond the ballpark: “The game may end, the contract may change — but the way we treat each other will remain.”
The response from fans and the Houston community was overwhelming. A volunteer at a homeless support center said, “Chas came and not only gave money, but he brought his presence, his smile, and the words ‘we are in this together.’ That opened up new hope.” Upon hearing the news, fans on social media circulated photos of McCormick at a distribution event, with the hashtag #McCormickCares quickly spreading.
McCormick joined the Astros in 2021 and had some memorable moments with the team, especially during their World Series championship campaign. But in recent years, he has faced a decline in performance and now faces the prospect of finding a new home. What makes this story special is that he chose to spend his “last leg” with the Astros doing something meaningful for the community, not just focusing on himself.
Experts commented that this is a typical example of the trend of today’s players: not only playing football, but also “playing for the community”. McCormick’s actions have become a role model for a generation of young athletes – who understand that the greatest impact is not the number of home runs, but how they change the lives of others.
As he prepares to enter the next phase of his career, McCormick seems to want to emerge not just as a player who played for the Astros, but as someone who “remains” in Houston’s memory for his humanitarian act. “When I no longer wear No. 20, I still want to be remembered for something bigger than me,” he said.
The 2025 season may have ended for McCormick in an Astros uniform, but the new chapter he just opened — full of heart and meaning — will surely outlive any hit. Houston will now remember him not just for the field, but for the beautiful act that served as a reminder: “Together we are more than winning.”
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