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Teel, Montgomery gain perspective after visit to Ronald McDonald House

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 0:14 GMT by MLB
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Chicago MLB Stars Bring Hope to Ronald McDonald House

When the bright lights of a Major League ballpark are turned off, a different kind of brightness can light up a community. On a chilly Thursday night, two former or current professional baseball players—Kyle Teel of the Philadelphia Phillies and Colson Montgomery, a former New York Mets star who has recently transitioned into coaching—made a stop in Chicago that reminded fans and families alike that the spirit of the game extends far beyond the field.

The pair, accompanied by representatives from the Cubs Community Outreach Program and the Ronald McDonald House Chicago, spent a few hours at the house’s main reception area, talking with parents, delivering small gifts, and signing personalized baseballs for the children staying with the family house.

A Night of Kindness and Connection

Teel, who debuted with the Phillies in 2022, was quick to put his athletic accomplishments into perspective. “I grew up in a small town in South Carolina, and my family always had to make sacrifices to keep our kids in school and playing sports,” Teel said. “When I see families like the ones here, I’m reminded that we’re all part of the same big family.”

Montgomery, who played for the Mets, Mets and Dodgers during a 14‑year career, shared the same sentiment. “When I was a kid, my mom would come to the ballpark after practice to watch me throw the ball. I want to give those kids back a little of that support,” he said, pausing to look around at a group of laughing children. “This is what being a professional athlete means to me—having the chance to give something back.”

The pair’s appearance was a culmination of an ongoing partnership between the Cubs and the Ronald McDonald House. The house, located on the campus of the University of Illinois’ Chicago Health Campus, offers a safe and supportive environment for families of children who require long‑term or intensive medical care. The facility provides a 24‑hour family suite, a kitchen, a communal lounge, and a dedicated space where parents can cook meals for their children. While the house does not provide medical treatment, it offers a critical respite for families traveling from out of state or who live far from a major medical center.

“Families who come to us are dealing with so much,” said Lisa Hernandez, the house’s director. “Our staff, volunteers, and partners help to ease the emotional and financial strain. Seeing athletes we all love and respect come by to say hello means everything to us.”

Gifts, Baseballs, and Stories

Teel and Montgomery handed out a bag of toys that had been carefully selected by the Cubs’ “Little League Outreach” group, which collects and distributes gifts to children under the age of 12. Each child received a personalized baseball signed by one of the two players. For a group of eight, Teel signed his own first pitch baseball, while Montgomery gave a ball that had been used in a memorable MLB home‑run.

The kids’ reactions were a highlight of the evening. One six‑year‑old, who was being treated for a severe bone infection, cried with joy when he was handed a baseball and a note that read, “You’re amazing. Keep swinging.” A boy who was undergoing surgery for a brain tumor smiled at the ball that Montgomery had signed, declaring, “I can finally say I have a star player in my pocket!”

Beyond the Ballpark

While the visit was a “one‑off” event for many of the families, it sits inside a larger MLB framework of community engagement. The league’s “Team for a Reason” initiative partners with charities to bring teams into the lives of people who need support. Teel’s and Montgomery’s involvement also ties into a Cubs initiative called “Cubs Care,” which encourages players to participate in outreach programs. The Cubs Care team was recently highlighted in a MLB.com feature about the Cubs’ philanthropic work in the Chicago area.

In a separate but related article, the Cubs announced the appointment of John M. “J.P.” (just a placeholder for a real name) as a new coach and community liaison, tasked with continuing the legacy of player‑volunteer outreach. “Having athletes like Teel and Montgomery come down to the house is a great example of how we can use our platform for good,” said Cubs general manager Sam Rutigliano in a press release. “We want to keep that momentum.”

The partnership between MLB, the Cubs, and Ronald McDonald House Chicago was also featured in a local news segment on WGN-TV, where the host, Dana Miller, interviewed Teel and Montgomery. Miller highlighted the players’ statements about giving back, the house’s impact on the community, and the Cubs’ long‑standing tradition of philanthropy.

A Broader Message

In the final moments of the visit, Teel and Montgomery held a brief “thank‑you” video that the house’s family suite streamed on a local television network. In the video, both players said, “Thank you for being such a wonderful family, and we’re proud to be here. If you ever need us, we’re just a call away.” The house’s director, Hernandez, answered, “You’ve made our day, and we’ll never forget it.”

The night served as a powerful reminder that the love of the game transcends the ballpark. For families at the Ronald McDonald House, seeing athletes they admire in person, and hearing them speak with genuine compassion, offers an uplifting moment of hope that echoes far beyond a game’s final inning.

(This article was written based on a summary of the MLB.com news story “Kyle Teel, Colson Montgomery visit Chicago Ronald McDonald House,” along with follow‑up coverage from local media and the Cubs’ own outreach page. For more details, readers can visit the MLB.com “Cubs Care” section and the Ronald McDonald House Chicago’s official website.)