David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
When you were a young kid, you probably always wished of meeting your favorite athlete and asking them any question or favor in the world. Well, eight-year-old Niko Lanzarotta got to do just that before the Cleveland Indians‘ game on Sunday night.
The young boy asked his two favorite players, Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis, if they could do him a huge favor — hit him a home run. Well, I’m sure these guys get asked to do that all the time, but what makes this one wish so important is that Lanzarotta was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was eight months old. Putting a smile on the young boy’s face that might not have much to smile about these days has to be atop these guys’ lists.
When the game began, Niko and his family settled into their seats at Progressive Field in Cleveland with one thought on their mind: will the players come through for Niko?
Just a few hours earlier he was on the field meeting his favorite players and now he gets to watch them play his favorite game. The bottom of the first comes around and what happens? How about a two-run home run by who else but Carlos Santana. Niko’s other favorite player, Kipnis, added a two-run homer of his own in the third inning and the Indians raced out to an early lead, eventually finishing with a 7-2 victory.
This is something out of Hollywood and the chances of both players he wished to hit home runs doing just that has to be slim to none. I’m glad these guys could come through for a dedicated youngster who has been to six games this season and the Indians have won each one.
Get this kid in the dugout as soon as possible.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
