his isn't your usual baseball story. It's not about a pitcher staring down a batter or someone winning a game in the final inning with a home run. It's about being a winner in the most important game of all. It's about Tim Wakefield being a winner in the game of life.
I was very surprised when I got a call from the Make A Wish Foundation during my April vacation week. They wanted to know if I was interested in going to see a Red Sox game, accept a check for them from Tim Wakefield, and actually meet him. This call came at a real funny time because I had been begging my parents to take me to a baseball game. But meeting a player was a real treat.
I have to admit that I don't really play a lot of sports. I have always been the smallest, slowest kid and the one always to be picked last. This was even true before I became sick with lung cancer. That didn't make things better because now I have only one lung and that can be a problem at times. It's sort of like what my surgeon told me, ''You can still run the marathon, but you're not going to win.'' So I get to sit and watch more times than I like. People believe that winning the game is the most important thing. Things like having fun and everyone getting a chance to play doesn't seem as important anymore.
This would be something great! I would get a chance to go behind the scenes when a real game was starting and even stand on the field in Fenway Park. I could actually meet Tim Wakefield. Maybe I could even catch or throw a ball with him. That's something even the best baseball players in my school may never have a chance to do!
I started to learn more about Tim Wakefield. The Make A Wish Foundation of Boston was going to get a check for $17,000 from him. Mr. Wakefield had pledged $1,000 for every winning game he had from the last baseball season. He had 17 winning games. This would be the day he gave a check to them, and we (another boy and I) would be there to help.
Finally, Saturday, April 24 arrived. I was so excited that I forgot to take my picture of Tim Wakefield with me for him to sign. Thankfully my mom remembered her camera. Unfortunately it wasn't a Polaroid.
We finally arrived at Fenway. We parked at McDonald's. We always park there because the parking money goes to support the Ronald McDonald House. That's a house in Boston near theChildren's Hospital where families can stay at very low cost while their children get medical treatment.
It was a cold and breezy day. The sun was shining brightly. Even if it were raining, it wouldn't have mattered to me. Before I met Tim Wakefield I met the president of Make A Wish of Boston. I asked her how much money that would be in wishes. She told me that $17,000 meant that up to four kids could have their wish. She also told me that most of the time the wishes were to meet someone special, like Tim Wakefield or an actor or a trip. Wishes could also be for things like computers or even pets.
We went inside to meet Tim Wakefield. We had pictures taken with him and he signed some baseballs. He even signed our programs. Nomar Garciaparra's picture was on the cover of the program, so he had him sign the cover, too. We also asked him questions about baseball and about his knuckleball throw. I was chewing some gum, and Tim Wakefield asked for a piece. I gave him some and we blew bubbles together. He's a really good bubblegum blower. Then we went out onto the field.
We went to the dugout. All the players were there and ready to play. He gave me a glove, and I threw some balls back and forth with him. Everyone in the stands was watching. This included my gym teacher, who didn't believe I could throw a ball. I felt very proud to be able to stand out in Fenway Park and throw a baseball there. I knew I would finally be the envy of my schoolmates.
Just before the game started, I was able to accept the check for the Make A Wish Foundation. I heard that Tim Wakefield was going to pledge $1,000 for every winning game again this year. Wow!
After that, we went and watched the ballgame. Unfortunately, Tim Wakefield wasn't pitching that day. I wish he were. They were playing the Cleveland Indians. I sat in the stands and ate the best hot dogs I ever tasted. Even though it was cold and windy, I felt all warm inside. Tim Wakefield had become my hero. It wasn't because he was a good pitcher, but because he wants to help children who need a little extra help. I learned that Tim Wakefield helps children from Franciscan Children's Hospital. They are called ''Wakefield's Warriors.'' I would like to nominate Tim Wakefield for MVP. I don't mean ''most valuable player.'' I mean ''most valuable person.''
