Even though the White Sox are in the basement of the MLB, they still take good care of their fans.
The White Sox showed that they are a class act with the special day they gave to one young fan.
Alex Estrada, a 7-year-old fan, got to spend an unforgettable day with his favorite players.
The limo ride with Southpaw
This young man is battling stage-four Neuroblastoma. According to reports from MLB.com, Estrada was picked up by a limousine and Southpaw who then took him to Guaranteed Rate Field for a day of video games, home runs, and high fives.
Highlights at Guaranteed Rate Field
He was given his own personalized uniform with his name and number 18. The White Sox gave him his own nameplate on a locker next to James Shields. He was officially the 26th man on the roster and he participated in warm-ups on the field.
For Estrada, there were a few highlights. One was playing Mario Cart with Yolmer Sanchez and Hector Santiago. He also got to run the bases after he hit his very own in-the-park home run.
Sox Serve Week
This event is one of the many that the Sox are doing in the community for Sox Serve Week. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the community outreach program that engages fans in the Chicagoland area.
This opportunity for Alex Estrada is really what baseball is about. Yes, the MLB is big business, but it doesn’t keep going if teams don’t show love to the fans. Estrada will never forget what the White Sox did for him and neither will his family. Baseball is just a game, but for this young fan, baseball is so much more. It gave him a momentous day, where he could be just another kid. He and the fans who witnessed it, will never forget.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, doctors have been treating Estrada for 18 months for neuroblastoma. He has had “chemotherapy, radiation, stem-cell transplant, stem-cell harvest and surgery.” Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer that occurs around the adrenal glands and nerve cells. According to the Mayo Clinic, this cancer affects young children around five years of age.
Next: Possible trade deal landing spots for Jose Abreu
We are often hesitant to refer to professional athletes as heroes in today’s world. But, in instances like this, it is safe to say that there were several heroes on the field on June 13: Alex Estrada, White Sox, and Southpaw. Go, Sox!