David Freese and the Cardinals help make Johnny Venus Night a reality

Around St. Louis, Cardinals third baseman David Freese is a rock star for his abilities on the baseball diamond. But it's what he does in the community that truly makes him a legend.

A local St. Louis rock radio station, Freese and the Cardinals teamed up to host Johnny Venus Night at Busch Stadium on Tuesday. The event benefited Venus, the drummer for St. Louis band Greek Fire, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Tickets were $20, with all proceeds from sales benefitting the local Leukemia Foundation, research for treatment and Johnny’s recovery.

“Growing up in St. Louis and being a huge Cardinals fan for the last 30 years of my life, and then being here now because of David Freese stepping up and the Cardinals organization making this happen, it is really overwhelming," Venus said. 

“You can’t put words to this. I will probably cry at some point, but I am so glad to have all these people supporting me. I could not be happier right now.”

It was a moment that almost didn't happen for Venus.

He recently had a bad reaction to his latest round of chemotherapy and was forced back into the hospital. But he was determined not to let the obstacle stop him from reaching his goal of playing at Busch Stadium.

“I told the nurses, ‘I’m leaving Sept. 18, I got a ballgame,’” Venus said. “I’m throwing out a first pitch at a Cardinals game, there is a show and I’m going to try and play it. So I’m leaving. I will disappear for five hours or whatever but I will come back.”

With the entire band fighting back tears, Greek Fire rocked the stage.  

For Freese, it was an opportunity to help a friend.

“He’s a buddy first and foremost, and when you can do something to help, why not?” Freese said. “Just to put effort into something like this, it means a lot to not only Johnny and his friends and family but everybody else involved."

For Venus, it was an experience of love and support that will never be forgotten.

“I can’t find the words,” he said following the show. “It’s amazing. I am still shaking.”

For more information on how to donate, visit cardinals.com/HelpJohnnyVenus. 

Content captured by Real-Time Correspondent on a Samsung Galaxy S III