VA St. Louis Health Care System

Veteran Patrick Patterson got to talk about his favorite sport, baseball, with Milwaukee Brewers players LaTroy Hawkins (right) and Jonathan Lucroy during their recent visit to John Cochran VA Medical Center.

Patients at the St. Louis VA Medical Center got a chance to meet two players who are making life tough on the hometown Cardinals and their fans. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher LaTroy Hawkins and catcher Jonathan Lucroy spent some time at the John Cochran Division before Tuesday’s game greeting some veterans and thanking them for their service.

The two Brewers, in conjunction with Athletes for Hope, spent an hour meeting and talking with more than 30 veterans about their military service, handing out autographed hats, and of course, talking baseball. Both Hawkins and Lucroy expected some heat from the many Cardinals fans they visited, but to their credit, they joked lively with the veterans and their gratitude and sincerity was evident with every handshake, every signed hat handed out and every photo taken.

Athletes for Hope’s mission is to educate, encourage and assist athletes in their efforts to contribute to community and charitable causes, to increase public awareness of those efforts, and to inspire others to do the same.