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Hours before the Astros were scheduled to face-off against the Texas Rangers on Thursday night, the home teams’ wives and girlfriends tackled a much more challenging opponent: domestic violence.
The Astros Foundation’s inaugural Safe at Home Luncheon and Style Show raised $200,000 toward its domestic violence awareness and education efforts.
In many ways, the fundraising event makes good on the promise that general manager Jeff Luhnow made after acquiring pitcher Roberto Osuna, who had been charged with one count of domestic violence and was serving a 75-game suspension levied by Major League Baseball at the time of the trade.
By inviting 16 partner agencies, which help prevent domestic violence from occurring, to mingle with 320 philanthropists-who-luncheon, the organization’s stance on the issue was clear.
Yards away from the field, Astros owner Jim Crane and wife Whitney welcomed bold-face sports fans including Janice McNair, Hannah McNair, Courtney Sarofim and Terri Havens. Gallery Furniture’s Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale also attended the casual, midday gathering.
And shortly before the reception ended, players Lance McCullers, Tony Kemp and José Altuve – with pint-sized daughter, Melanie, in tow – moseyed into Union Station. Inside, the trio was joined by teammates Carlos Correa, Wade Miley, Will Harris, Max Stassi and Ryan Pressly.
Astros AT&T SportsNet sideline reporter Julia Morales Clark emceed the brief albeit poignant program. Guest speaker Judge Lincoln Goodwin delivered a personal anecdote about how his own mother survived domestic violence in her marriage.
She feared for her life and carried me in her arms for many miles to safety, Goodwin shared.
He later encouraged luncheon-goers to get involved and spoke on importance of aiding any man, woman or child who asks for help leaving an abusive situation.
The soiree concluded with a spring runway show presented by Tootsies. Several of Astros’ better halves hit the catwalk including Kara McCullers, Erin Hinch, Kat Rogers, Gina Luhnow, Michele Kemp, Amy Cole, Allie Smith, Daniella Rodriguez, Lianet Gurriel, Alli Spivey, Katy Miley and Nina Altuve.
The Altuves’ daughter, Melanie, made her second cameo of the day; this time, as one of the child models. When the toddler spotted her father, José, in the crowd, she sprinted toward him and leaped off the stage into his arms.
A home-run for the family-centric luncheon and, fingers crossed, a fortuitous start for the game ahead.