Major League Baseball

Inspirational batboy believes in Reds

Published Oct. 10, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Ted Kremer may have only spent one day in the Reds' dugout, but he's a part of the team even from home.

Kremer's parents won a silent auction that annointed him batboy for a day on Aug. 17. The 29-year-old may not have been in the recommended "age 15 to 19" age bracket, but the Reds' superfan, who has Down Syndrome, got to live out his dream anyway.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Kremer walked into the Great American Ballpark and already knew everyone by name from broadcasters Jim Kelch and Tom Brennaman to hitting coach Brook Jacoby and CEO Phil Castellini.

Luckily, the players fell in love with him immediately as well. Kremer gave second baseman Brandon Phillips a high five on the way to an at-bat that had him laughing through the pitching sequence.

"People are blessed in their own way," Phillips told the Enquirer. "Teddy came in here and blessed us with his energy and his presence that day: Enjoy life, be yourself, go out and play hard. Give it all you got. That’s Teddy. He’s a reminder to us all."

Kremer brought the Reds good luck that day as they went on to win 7-3. He brought some lessons he learned in the dugout home with him.

Kremer started clapping in the Cininnati dugout when the Reds had just two outs in the ninth inning. Reds first baseman Joey Votto told Kremer, "We celebrate when there are three out."

As the Reds finished off their Game 1 victory against the Giants, Kremer sat in his living room with his family and told them, "Now, we can celebrate." There were three outs of course.

Since Kremer has seen the team from inside the dugout, he's allowed to have an expert opinion on the 2012 Reds. He's predicting big things for the team.

"The Reds beat the Giants, and then win the National League championship," Kremer told the Enquirer. "They'll win the World Series. And then bring the World Series trophy downtown."

Even if you're not a Reds fan, you've got to be happy for Kremer's joy when he sees his team win.

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