David Ortiz promised a young fan he'd hit a home run and delivered
David Ortiz's game-winning two-run home run against the New York Yankees on Friday night was more than just a crowd-pleaser at Fenway. The clutch hit fulfilled a promise Ortiz made earlier in the day to 6-year-old boy named Maverick from Cheyenne, Wyo.
This is the video me and @davidortiz sent our little buddy Maverick before Red Sox game tonight.... pic.twitter.com/kVTqSoe8OV
— Kevin Millar (@KMillar15) April 30, 2016
Maverick suffers from complications from a congenital heart defect, and his childhood has been littered with operations and hospital stays necessary to keep him alive. The boy and his family became friendly with former Red Sox player Kevin Millar thanks to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and Millar shared Maverick's story with Ortiz while the former Sox player was in Boston on Friday.
And this is Maverick video back us @davidortiz after home run 2nite. The man touches lives daily and brings smiles. pic.twitter.com/SPUhx7Hmdq
— Kevin Millar (@KMillar15) April 30, 2016
So Ortiz, who was also hosting a child at the game that night whose father died last September, made a promise to lift Maverick's spirits with a home run on Friday. But even Ortiz was astounded that he was able to actually follow through on that vow.
Maverick thanked Ortiz in a video sent via Millar, and Ortiz said both him and Millar were deeply moved by the way the story worked out.
Ortiz told reporters he plans to send Maverick some autographed gear soon. Both Maverick's family and Ortiz also said they hope to be able to meet at Fenway Park in the future, but Maverick is scheduled to undergo a fifth open-heart procedure soon, so travel plans are difficult to make at the moment.
Still, the moment was a nice chapter to include in Ortiz's retirement tour. While Ortiz will likely continue his charitable efforts with children long after his playing days are over, there is nothing quite like being able to hit a home run for a kid in need.
