Teryn's Take: Cardinals stepping up on and off the field

Published Jun. 19, 2014 5:58 p.m. ET

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ST. LOUIS -- Those who bleed Cardinal red have gotten quite a show recently, with the Redbirds winning eight of their last 10 games.

Despite Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Mets, Busch Stadium has come to life on this homestand as the Cardinals' bats have ignited. Matt Adams was a thrill to watch, hitting three homers in three straight games with his father in town over the Father's Day weekend. Meanwhile, Jon Jay started his very own hot streak as the club scored 37 runs in that 10-game stretch.

But this week, the Cardinals are stepping up to the plate off the field by giving back in an effort to save lives, teaming up with the American Red Cross and FOX Sports Midwest for their annual blood drive.

Kayla and I had the pleasure of coming out to thank those who were donating blood at the Center of Clayton location Thursday. People lined up to see Fredbird, show their support and give blood. It was an amazing sight to see!

Taking part in events like these is one of our favorite parts of being FOX Sports Midwest Girls. Wednesday, the first day of the drive, brought out more than 500 people across the various locations in the St. Louis area. We are honored to help represent FOX Sports Midwest in such a wonderful cause.

QUICK HITS

Have a topic that is important to you? Share it with me on our FOX Sports Midwest Girls social media pages (Facebook: FOX Sports Midwest Girls; Twitter and Instagram: @FSMidwestGirls).

-- I will have the pleasure of attending another community event this week, representing FOX Sports Midwest on Saturday at the Third Annual Lumiere Place Golf Classic, hosted by Marshall Faulk, at Far Oaks Golf Club in Caseyville, Ill. The proceeds of this celebrity amateur golf tournament, which runs Friday through Sunday, go to the Marshall Faulk Foundation, benefiting underprivileged youth. It is always so cool to see athletes and celebrities out having fun and being themselves away from their jobs, while at the same time supporting a good cause. And besides, I love a good golf outing!

Faulk has helped not only give back to youth here in St. Louis, but also to those in his hometown of New Orleans -- and contributed greatly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Way to represent the Rams with class!

-- In the spirit of giving back, our girl Katie joined 21st Century FOX and other FOX Sports Girls from around the country in New Jersey this week for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

Katie and the girls helped with medal ceremonies, had fun in photo booths, played football with the athletes and interacted with families of the Olympians.

"There is so much family support here," Katie said, "it's unbelievable."

We are proud to have Katie represent us at such a special event. To see more of the fun from the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games, follow the FOX Sports Girls on Twitter!

-- You know I love a chance to root for my home country. USA, USA, USA! Monday's USA vs. Ghana FIFA World Cup watch party at Ballpark Village lived up to the hype. The place was packed, with fans singing the American "football" chant, "I believe that we will win."

Kayla, Katie and I were just finishing up our pregame chant on the FOX Sports Midwest LIVE! Stage, making our way backstage, when we heard BPV erupt. I ran through the hallway and out into the concourse to see that Clint Dempsey of the U.S. had scored the fastest goal in World Cup history. Team USA went on to win its first 2014 World Cup match, 2-1, and now faces Portugal at 5 p.m. Sunday. Join us at Ballpark Village for each U.S. World Cup game and bring your red, white and blue!

-- News of the Missouri men's hoops team playing in Kansas City could help spark some of those old Big 12 rivalries. I love how FOX Sports writer Sean Keeler bounces around the subject of the Mizzou-KU rivalry (one that, as a Tigers fan, I have to say will never fade). Very entertaining and interesting article! For now, though, playing other former Big Eight and Big 12 foes will definitely be a treat.

VIDEO PICK

Like any good teammate, Jason Motte had to share with the world the run-in fellow pitcher Trevor Rosenthal had with a batboy while in Tampa Bay.

And like any good reporter, FOX Sports Midwest's Jim Hayes had to rub it in a bit and ask the closer about the incident.

It's always entertaining to see teammates poke fun at each other and have fun as a team. It's also cool to see Rosenthal's personality and hear about his first Father's Day as a dad!

SHOUT-OUTS

My first shout-out this week goes to Matt Holliday, who got his 1,000th RBI this week at Busch and received a standing ovation from the home crowd. I absolutely adore how he showed his appreciation for St. Louis fans in his postgame interview with Hayes.

"It was important to me," Holliday told Hayes. "I very much appreciate fans taking notice of something like that. A lot of places, it probably wouldn't be noticed or appreciated as much. But it's very much appreciated."

And based on the response we received from fans on social media, the feeling is mutual.

We also want to give a shout-out to all our fans on social media by inviting everyone to Ballpark Village's Friday's on Clark, at 4 p.m. Friday. We want to take a picture with YOU. Then, you can help US promote Cardinals games on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages!

I also want to give another shout-out to all of our fans for helping to make today -- my birthday -- such a special day. All of your birthday wishes were just over the top! Our fellow STL sports fans are what make all of this so special!

Teryn, a journalism graduate of the University of Missouri, is a FOX Sports Midwest Girl. You can follow the FOX Sports Midwest Girls on Facebook (FOX Sports Midwest Girls) and Twitter and Instagram (@FSMidwestGirls).

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