Stephen Vogt is using MLB Players’ Weekend to shine a light on two Cleveland nonprofits that are close to home for him and his family.
The Guardians manager will wear custom shoes during Cleveland’s weekend series against the Rockies at Coors Field, with the design recognizing Ronald McDonald House and Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio.
“It’s a cool opportunity just to spotlight two unbelievable organizations that help a lot of people in different ways,” Vogt said.
The Ronald McDonald House connection runs deeper than a simple endorsement. Vogt said his wife, Alyssa, and her family stayed there when her brother was in the hospital for an extended time.
“My wife, Alyssa, when she was younger, her family actually stayed at the Ronald McDonald’s house when her brother was in the hospital for a while,” Vogt said.
The Boys & Girls Clubs link has been part of the Vogts’ life for years, long before Cleveland entered the picture.
“We’ve always been involved with Boys & Girls Club, just giving kids opportunities after school to have a safe place to learn and grow,” Vogt said. “Those are two organizations that are just very dear to us.”
Vogt has made community work a regular part of his run as Cleveland’s manager, showing up at Guardians outreach events and hospital visits. He said that’s part of what comes with representing the city.
“These are our fans and this is the city that supports us,” Vogt said. “It’s our duty as players and coaches and people who have the honor to put on a Cleveland Guardians uniform to get out in the community and raise awareness for good causes and bring joy to people.”
Those visits, he said, also bring a different kind of perspective. Being around children facing serious challenges can put baseball in its proper place.
“I know my job is very important,” Vogt said. “I take it very seriously and I know it’s an honor to do this, but those things are bigger than baseball.
Those things are more important. It makes you realize that what I do is very small.”
For Vogt, the real reward can be something simple: a little joy, a small lift in someone’s day.
“There’s nothing better than bringing joy into somebody’s life,” Vogt said. “If I can go hit some balls off the tee or read a book to a kid that makes them feel special for a day, it’s the least I can do.”
In Other News...
Gabriel Arias Just Forced A Former Guardian Back Out Of Chicago
The Cubs infield shuffle kept turning over before Owen Miller could really settle in. Chicago brought him up after Dansby Swanson went down with an injury, looking for quick depth in the middle infield, but his stay on the roster was about as brief as it gets. For a player who has already worn uniforms for Cleveland, Milwaukee and Colorado, it was another short stop in a career that has bounced around the league.
Chicago then claimed Gabriel Arias off waivers, and the move pushed Miller back out of the picture almost immediately. Arias is expected to fill a utility role behind Nico Hoerner and Pedro Ramrez, giving the Cubs another versatile infield option while closing the door on Millers latest chance to stick in Chicago. [Read more 🡒]
Angel Genao Is Forcing A Guardians Infield Dilemma
Angel Genaos first taste of the big leagues has been enough to make the Guardians pay attention. Since making his MLB debut on Aug. 5, he has handled a utility infield role with the kind of steady play that can change a managers thinking, pairing a .320/.382/.440 slash line with encouraging defensive work through his first 50 at-bats.
Stephen Vogt has already acknowledged the ripple effect, noting that Genaos performance is turning the infield into a real competition for playing time. For Cleveland, that is the good kind of problem to have, but it can also lead to difficult roster decisions as the club tries to balance production, versatility and opportunity across the group. [Read more 🡒]
Stephen Vogt Just Sent A Clear Message With Clevelands Lineup
Stephen Vogt did something rare for Cleveland this week by rolling out the same lineup in back-to-back games, a small choice that still carried plenty of meaning in a season where the manager has mixed and matched often. It suggested a group that was starting to settle in, and it came with rookie Angel Genao holding down shortstop for a second straight start while Erik Sabrowski continued to trend up after his return from the injured list.
The lineup stability also fit the broader tone around the club, where Vogt had checked in with key players about how they were feeling before locking things in. Jos Ramrez was part of that conversation, and he kept adding to his place in franchise history with another hit, nudging himself further up Cleveland's all-time list while the Guardians tried to find a rhythm that has been elusive for much of the season. [Read more 🡒]