KANSAS CITY -- This Father's Day is especially sentimental for Royals pitcher Justin Grimm, as it's his first as a father.
Grimm and his wife, Gina, welcomed their son, Austin James Grimm, into the world on May 25. With the emotion from such a momentous moment in his life still fresh in his heart, the third Sunday of June elicits a new feeling this year for Grimm.
"Definitely has a new meaning," Grimm said. "Past few days, just being able to go home to my son, it's just been an awesome feeling."
Aside from the present, being a new father has caused Grimm to reflect on his past experiences with fatherhood.
"Just to think about my dad as well, it definitely gives that a new meaning," Grimm said. "It kind of brings to light everything that he went through early on with me and everything, so it's more of an appreciation for him as well as enjoying new time with the little man."
Astros pitcher Brad Peacock is also celebrating his first Father's Day. His wife, Stephanie, gave birth to a son, Colton, on June 24, 2017. Peacock was looking forward to heading home to Houston late Sunday to see his wife and son, who are traveling to Texas from Florida.
"It's been fun so far, just having to take care of him every day," Peacock said. "Just watching him grow, he's started almost walking. He took his first step two nights ago and I got a video of it. It was awesome."
The Royals and Astros wore special light-blue hats designed to promote prostate cancer awareness for Father's Day, as will the other 28 clubs across the Major Leagues. Other blue garments will be worn, as will the symbolic blue ribbon worn by all players and on-field personnel across MLB. All royalty proceeds from the sale of blue gear will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer.
Astros pitcher Collin McHugh's father, Scott, is battling prostate cancer and recently had hip surgery. This is also Collin's second Father's Day.
"It's been a hard year this year," he said. "He had to have hip surgery not too long ago so he's doing his rehab and recovering from that. We just understand every day, every week, every month is a blessing and we play it by ear and try to live it up as much as we can for as long as we've got."
Father's Day also signals the end of the Prostate Cancer Foundation's "Home Run Challenge," which allowed Major League Baseball fans to make donations and pledge funds for every homer hit by their favorite clubs in June. As of Friday, more than $1.85 million had been raised by this year's efforts, and nearly $50 million had been raised since the program's inception.