Astros Raises Money for Harvey Victims
CABRERA: Welcome back. These are live pictures right now. The President and the first lady just touched down at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as they return from their trip to the storm ravaged area in Texas and Louisiana where they spent much of the day visiting with first responders, with elected officials, and most importantly perhaps with victims of the hurricane and the flooding that happened in particular in Houston, a city that was just ravaged. Again, live pictures here at Joint Base Andrews as the President and first lady return to the White House. Well, Texans have stepped up in a big way to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. But today, they got a chance to do it all while enjoying America's past time, baseball. The Houston Astros have donated $4 million so far to Harvey relief efforts in the Houston area. And then they partnered with Major League Baseball to donate all the parking, concessions, and the ticket revenue from this weekend's three-game series against the Texas Rangers. And our Nick Valencia joins us now from Minute Maid Park in Houston. Nick, I know the Astros had to have been excited to give back to their city. That's obvious there that they're so, so much, but what are the players saying about today's game?</s>NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, for a lot of people here, Ana, this is the first normal thing that they've done since the hurricane. And the players understand that this is a lot -- in a lot of ways, a distraction for the people of this city who have been through so much. We were in the clubhouse earlier before the first game of today's double-header, and we spoke to a couple of stars, one of which is wearing cleats today that are signed by some of the youngest victims of Hurricane Harvey in honor of what they went through and to show solidarity with the victims.</s>JOE MUSGROVE, PITCHER, HOUSTON ASTROS: You know, after getting to go out yesterday and see some of the people and see the shape that they're in, you know, it's definitely heartbreaking. But at the same time, it's really cool to see how the whole city has come together, even the people from Louisiana. And, you know, people are flying from the West Coast and East Coast to kind of -- everyone's contributing to do their part. I bought a pair --</s>VALENCIA: Please.</s>MUSGROVE: I bought a pair of white Adidas cleats yesterday and I kind of let the kids design them and draw them how they wanted to. I told them I was going to be wearing them this weekend. And I said you guys are going to design them for me, and if you guys want to sign your name or draw a little picture on there or put whatever you want.</s>GEORGE SPRINGER, OUTFIELDER, HOUSTON ASTROS: I feel for these people. You know, I'm going to go out and, you know, hope for, what's it's worth, I'm going to run through a wall for this city if I have to. You know, I'll do anything I can, you know, to hopefully make these people feel better for a few hours before they go back to their situations and lives.</s>VALENCIA: Our crew has been here all week, and I think it's safe to say that this is the most that we've seen this many people smile. They've gone through really just so much. The Astros won the first game of the double-header. They put on a show, 12 to eight. We caught up with some of the fans to talk about their predictions for this game that's going on right now.</s>CHRISTIAN DELARIVA, HOUSTON ASTROS FAN: We're excited to get back with the community and have a little fun and spirited. Get behind the boys a little bit.</s>VALENCIA: Yes, yes.</s>DELARIVA: As we round around (ph) for the full season.</s>CELESTE FISHER, HOUSTON ASTROS FAN: I wanted to bring some joy today.</s>VALENCIA: Do you think it's like a --</s>FISHER: So that's why we're here.</s>VALENCIA: -- a return to something normal, a little bit?</s>FISHER: Something normal to, you know, bring it back to the fundamentals of what life is about. Just joy or hope. Hope.</s>MICHAEL STEWART, HOUSTON ASTROS FAN: You know, just let's us get back to a little bit of normalcy, you know, after everything that happened.</s>VALENCIA: I think this is the most we've seen people smile in Houston in, like, the last week, you know.</s>MARLENE STEWART, HOUSTON ASTROS FAN: Yes.</s>MICHAEL STEWART: Yes.</s>MARLENE STEWART: Yes.</s>VALENCIA: And I mentioned that first game was a win for the Astros. Something that was striking to us, the pitcher for the New York Mets in today's game, his name, Matt Harvey.</s>CABRERA: Wow.</s>VALENCIA: The Astros chased him out of the game. It was the shortest start of his career. Right now, the score is tied zero, zero, but a lot of fans are very optimistic that they'll pull another win out today, Ana.</s>CABRERA: Real quick, any update on how much money they've raised today?</s>VALENCIA: So far, we haven't had a chance to talk to the Astros about that, but we know all those proceeds from the parking are going here. We've seen a lot of people stream into the game. There was a lot of empty seats, though, as well. There are people here that are still suffering through it.</s>CABRERA: Yes.</s>VALENCIA: I mentioned that a lot of people are getting back to normal here, but a lot of people are still going through it, Ana.</s>CABRERA: I'm sure going to a baseball game was the last thing on a lot of people's minds who are just trying to get their lives back together. Nick Valencia, thank you. Nice to see that silver lining --</s>VALENCIA: You got it.</s>CABRERA: -- to what's happening in Houston. We'll be right back.