MLB, MLBPA donate to flood, tornado victims

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association are jointly contributing 50,000 to help victims of the tornadoes in the Dallas area, as well as those affected by the flooding in the Midwest.

"First and foremost, our hearts go out to all the victims in Texas, Missouri and Illinois, especially to the loved ones of those whose lives were lost in these tragic storms," Commissioner Robert Manfred said in a statement. "Major League Baseball and our 30 clubs are eager to support the relief efforts by the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, in partnership with the Players Association. Through this united contribution, we hope the affected families find some solace in their time of need, and we will continue to keep them and their communities in our thoughts."

Several tornadoes hit the Dallas area Saturday, killing at least 11 people and destroying hundereds of homes, according to The New York Times.

The outbreak was the deadliest system to hit the Dallas area since 1927, the National Weather Service tweeted.

The Dallas area was far from the only part of the country to be hit with devastating weather recently, as there was also intense flooding in the Midwest. Per CNN, the rivers were still rising on New Year's Eve, but they were expected to crest later in the day.

MLB and the MLBPA have teamed up to support multiple causes in the past and encourage others to do the same. Donations can be made at https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation and https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/texas/texas-dhq/disaster/texas-flood-tornado-relief.

"The Players are proud to be joining with Major League Baseball to provide needed funding to help support the recovery efforts of the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army," MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said. "We commend both organizations for their passion and dedication to providing immediate assistance to the innocent victims of these devastating storms, and our thoughts and prayers remain with those suffering in the wake of these unfortunate natural disasters."