ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A young girl with a big heart was in the spotlight Sunday at Tropicana Field.
Three-year-old Ireland Nugent, who lost both of her feet in a lawn mower accident a year ago at her home in Palm Harbor, Florida, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Tampa Bay Rays' game against the Houston Astros.
She has quite the story of courage: On April 11, 2013, her father accidentally backed into her in the family's driveway with a riding lawn mower. She had seven surgeries in the three weeks that followed. She has been fitted with prosthetics, and she has become a source of inspiration throughout the Tampa Bay region and beyond.
Rays manager Joe Maddon heard Ireland's story and welcomed her to the game. Talk about a heart-warming moment to remember.
Good win today vs. a really good lefty, but the highlight was meeting Ireland Nugent & her family before the game. pic.twitter.com/4FN1s58zzB
— Joe Maddon (@RaysJoeMaddon) June 22, 2014
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
