Players Are Rock Stars On Field And Off

DENVER -- Since Opening Day 15 seasons ago, the Colorado Rockies have raised more than $16 million for charity.

Rockies charities work to raise funds for underprivileged kids, literacy programs, violence prevention and the list goes on.

The team has also given away more than one million tickets since their inaugural season. They gave away 150,000 just last season.

The Rockies charity funds benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Special Olympics and the Denver Public Library among others.

But as Rockies manager Clint Hurdle has proven, sometimes the best gifts don't cost the team a single dime. Hurdle donates his time.

Hurdle is one of the most frequent visitors to Children's Hospital.

"And inevitably, when he leaves the Children's Hospital, he has uplifted so many spirits," said Leslie Mckay, director of special events for The Children's Hospital Foundation.

And it's his visits and other visitors who bring the most joy to patients like Katie Liebel.

"All those little things make the stay just a little bit easier because no one really likes being cooped up here for 10 days, maybe more," said Liebel.

Hurdle's visits started well before his daughter became sick, and just as the team keeps delivering, so does Hurdle.

"If you can make a little bit of a difference, I think that brings value to everything. It brings value to your life, it brings value to the lives you can touch, it brings value to your community," said Hurdle.

And because of Hurdle, there are a lot of Rockies fans here. Liebel has tickets to the World Series, but if her white blood cell count doesn't improve, she may not be able to go.

"As far as I'm concerned, if I have to break out of here, I am going to go to a game," said Liebel.

"There are so many people here at Children's Hospital who are pulling for Clint because he's been pulling for each and every one of them as well," said Mckay.

Hurdle's 5-year-old daughter, Madison, was born with a rare genetic disorder called Prader-Willi Syndrome, resulting in low muscle tone, morbid obesity and other problems -- including seizures.

There is no known cure.

Hurdle is a national spokesman for Prader-Willi Syndrome, which affects one in every 12,000-15,000 babies.

Hurdle said he tries hard to look for the good in life, because "you look for good, you're going to find good."

In 2006, the Rockies' Wives also raised more than $40,000 in support of numerous charities.