Still an Angel in More Ways Than One : Former Baseball Star Rod Carew Goes to Bat for Shelter Serving Victims of Abuse

A tip of the baseball cap to former Angels’ star hitter Rod Carew, who has gone to bat for a shelter for abused women and children in affluent Anaheim Hills, where he lives. The shelter, Eli Home, eventually won city approval, but not before being granted a shabby welcome from some other residents who were opposed to it.

Carew learned of the shelter from newly elected Anaheim City Councilman Bob Zemel, who was aware that Carew had been beaten as a boy and had run away from home. Carew was able to address the importance of having havens for victims of abuse from personal experience, saying, “You always deal with (the abuse). But the only way to improve is to get it out. I just hope someday when these kids grow up they say, ‘God, I’m glad the Eli Home was there.’ ” Possessing firsthand experience, Carew has come to the defense of the shelter, which annually provides emergency housing and counseling to about 1,000 abuse victims. This weekend, he was to attend a Christmas party for 200 children, and says he will remain involved.

Having a high-profile celebrity to come to the defense of an important group like this can go a long way. In approving the facility, the City Council said it would review the shelter in one year and could revoke the permit if the facility proves to be an unwelcome neighbor. One of the “Not In My Back Yard” arguments raised by critics was that the shelter could attract violent spouses.

Having Carew say he will stand by the facility will be important to protect it from falling victim to politics. As Lori Galloway, executive director of the Eli Home said, “People really respect Carew, and if he shows his support for our programs, then they pay a lot more attention.”

By his involvement, the great hitter has shown that he has not forgotten those who, like him, have experienced the terrors of being abused women and children.