This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO -- Kyle Tucker does not know how long his time with the Cubs will last, but the star outfielder did not want that to get in the way of using his platform to help his new community. He and his wife, Samantha, hoped to find a way to continue his foundation’s work in Chicago.
“They reached out to us, which was awesome,” said Lea Jesse, the vice president and executive director of Cubs Charities. “They really wanted to get involved, and we were very happy to help.”
When the Cubs swung a blockbuster trade with the Astros over the winter to acquire Tucker, the team did so due to the impact he could have on the field, even with free agency looming next offseason for the right fielder. Even if it is a one-year stay with the North Siders, Tucker and his family wanted to help away from the ballpark, too.
The Tuckers launched the Kyle Tucker Foundation in 2022 with a focus on shining a light on end-of-life caregivers via their Hospice Heroes program. The inspiration behind the cause came from Tucker’s beloved grandfather, Dwayne, who went through hospice care and passed away shortly before the Astros played in the ‘21 World Series.
“He was great. He was always around and helpful,” Tucker said. “And he always wanted the best for us. So obviously, when he went through hospice care, it was hard for everyone. We knew we wanted to do something with a foundation. We just didn’t know exactly what we wanted to do, and then that happened.”
While growing up in Tampa, Tucker said his grandpa was always pitching in, helping his parents with getting Kyle and his brother, Preston, to their Little League and travel ball games. Tucker smiled when talking about his grandfather sitting behind the fence charting pitches at high school games or making sure he was watching their Minor League games on his computer.
“He loved baseball and loved his grandkids,” Tucker said.
So when Tucker and his family witnessed the compassion and care his grandfather experienced in his final days, it planted a seed for the bulk of his foundation’s work. And after organizing events and fundraisers in both Tampa and Houston, Tucker brought his Hospice Heroes initiative to Chicago this summer.
With the help of Cubs Charities and the Elea Institute, plus sponsorship by YETI, Tucker secured a suite at Wrigley Field for a “Day at the Park” for around 20 hospice caregivers from Advocate Health Care, JourneyCare and Lightways on July 5. Tucker is also planning an online auction to raise money for the cause this season.
“This isn’t a cause that gets a lot of attention. It’s unique,” Jesse said. “You don’t see a lot of attention on hospice workers and hospice care, but I feel like it touches almost every family at some point. So, I just think that’s cool that that’s what they’re focused on. It was one of our best days at the ballpark. Everybody was so appreciative to have the opportunity.
“But it also wasn’t a one-and-done. Kyle [and his family] keep reaching out and wanting to do more.”
The Tuckers have been involved in both Sunshine Kids and Dec My Room in the past, and they are trying to continue that work in Chicago this year, too. Tucker has been involved with a toy drive for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa and has annual fundraisers to raise money for a variety of causes.
Jesse said Tucker’s desire to get involved with Cubs Charities has also served as “a model” for some of the other players on the team.
“Across the board, our player engagement and involvement has been up,” Jesse said. “We’re seeing the younger players, the more seasoned players, everyone is joining in and doing what they can and getting involved in various Cubs Charities events across the community.”
Tucker said getting involved in Chicago -- even with his long-term situation unsettled -- was an easy choice.
“I don’t think it necessarily matters if I’m here for one year, five, 10 years,” Tucker said. “We’re not just here playing baseball. We’re also here for the fans and their community. I think it’s just important, especially with the platform that we have. We’re able to give back to the community and the fans who watch our games. You don’t know how many people in the stands are going through situations, too.”