Cubs’ Willson Contreras surprises boy with Down syndrome for 10th birthday
A boy celebrating his 10th birthday was reunited with his favorite Major League Baseball player as part of a surprise celebration at Wrigley Field Tuesday.
Daniel Rodriguez, who has Down syndrome, ran toward Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras with open arms as the two hugged outside the dugout before the game.
It was all part of a full day of emotional reunions, as eight courageous kids from Advocate Children’s Hospital who played ball with the Chicago Cubs during an unforgettable trip to Spring Training in February got back together at Wrigley Field for the Cubs/Sox game on Tuesday, July 25.
The current and former patients and their family members shared recollections from their #KidsCubsCactus trip; attended a pre-game surprise party to celebrate Daniel’s 10th birthday; and paid tribute to one member of the group who is no longer with us. Talia Freund lost her battle with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, this past April at the age of 14.
See more from their day at the ballpark, which Willson Contreras made extra special by belting out a 3-run home run in his first plate appearance.
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About the Author
Lisa Parro, health enews contributor, is a content manager for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. A former journalist, Lisa has been in health care public relations since 2008 and has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She and her family live in Chicago’s western suburbs.
The more I see Willson and learn about him, the more I like him. He is a very kind young man.