On Friday, Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen won the 2015 Roberto Clemente Award, given to the MLB player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”
Andrew McCutchen receives HR ball from healthy kid he cheered up in hospital last year
“This past weekend I played two games and hit three home runs. I am sending my first home run ball to you as a thank you.”
It’s easy to see why: McCutchen is involved with many local and national charities, including the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, to which he donated children’s Halloween costumes last week. On Monday, McCutchen published a note he received from a former Children’s Hospital patient he met over the summer.
Matt - thank you for the HR ball ... and the autograph! More importantly, I'm so glad you're doing better and healing ...
Posted by Andrew Mccutchen on Monday, November 2, 2015
The note reads:
Dear Andrew McCutchen,
This summer I suffered a brain abscess and spent most of my time in Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. During my stay I was lucky enough to meet you when you visited to do art with the kids. Every night I looked forward to watching the Pirates and was thrilled to know you were come to visit. Baseball is my favorite sports and I was not sure if I would ever be able to play again. Your visit helped inspire me to get better.
I am felling [sic] better now and playing baseball again. This past weekend I played two games and hit three home runs. I am sending my first home run ball to you as a thank you.
Thank you again for the visit and picture you drew me in the hospital.
Your Friend,
Matt Groeber
Wolfpack
By the sound of it -- three home runs in a weekend! -- Groeber is not only doing better, but pretty dang good at baseball. Perhaps this will be a collector’s item someday?
Wolfpack!
