Cooper Roberts, the 9-year-old paralyzed from the waist down in final yr’s July 4 Highland Park parade capturing, threw out the primary pitch at Monday’s sport between the Chicago Cubs and his favourite staff, the Milwaukee Brewers, who’ve proven their help since quickly after the tragedy.
Within days of the capturing, the Brewers realized Cooper is a fan, and his favourite participant is outfielder Christian Yelich. The group paid tribute to him by hanging a jersey within the dugout bearing the boy’s final title and Yelich’s 22 uniform quantity.
“It’s a Brewers fan, and we want to show support for him and his family, and the incredibly difficult times they are facing,” supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned on the time. “You can’t imagine … the strength to go through something like that is unimaginable. We’re doing such a small thing that hopefully can make one part of the day better for him”
In an announcement at the moment, the Brewers additionally mentioned they might stay in touch with the household. “(We) are looking to set up a meeting between him and his favorite players, when the time is appropriate.”
That time got here Monday, with a promise stored, through the opening of a four-game sequence with the rival Chicago Cubs. Roberts was given the respect of constructing the ceremonial first pitch to open the sport. It was a phenomenal sunny day and a crowd of 43,000 individuals had packed Milwaukee’s American Family Field.
Surrounded by household and different invited members of the Highland Park group who have been impacted by the incident, Cooper was the featured attraction at house plate when Yelich sidled up beside the entourage and shocked him.
With assist from his brother, Luke, who was hit by shrapnel on the day of the capturing, Cooper was pushed out to the 30-foot mark between the pitcher’s mound, and residential plate, the place Yelich crouched to catch the toss. Cooper threw an ideal strike on one bounce.
Yelich then jumped up, went out to satisfy the household and gave the ball to Cooper. His mom, Keeley, has served because the Zion Elementary School District 6 superintendent till taking a depart of absence. She was additionally severely injured within the parade capturing, however wished to maintain the main target solely on her son Monday.
“This is a difficult time of the year for the Roberts family, and all of those who were impacted by the Highland Park tragedy,” mentioned Rick Schlesinger, Brewers president of baseball operations. “Having Cooper right here at the moment, alongside his household, represents a milestone in his lengthy path to restoration, for the complete group.
“We are honored to have the Roberts family with us at American Family Field for Cooper’s first pitch and wish them all the best,” he mentioned.
The ceremonies included the roaring flyover of a KC-135R Stratotanker from the Wisconsin Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing, that shook the stadium following the nationwide anthem. Cooper may very well be seen holding his ears.
“This is a wonderful day, and a nice thing to do for him,” mentioned Jennifer Ashley, a fan attending the sport. “Having some light come out of a bad thing is pure hope.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com