It was a wish that went the distance.
It was a wish that went the distance.
Before his home game Friday, Boston Red Sox right fielder and American League MVP Mookie Betts had a special meeting with 10-year-old Nico Sapienza, according to ESPN.
Sapienza is living with spinal muscular atrophy, a debilitating muscular condition that can cause a person to have difficulty swallowing and eating, scoliosis and respiratory distress.
“It kind of kills off the motor neurons in the spinal cord that allow a person to eat, breathe, or speak,” his mom, Suzie, told WBZ.
When Nico’s parents got married 14 years ago, their favor was a donation to the Make-A-Wish program. Unbeknownst to them, their son would become a part of the same program years later.
The Saugus native got to watch the World Series champ warm up at batting practice, had a private tour of Fenway Park and enjoyed a private dinner. Sapienza, too, loves to play baseball. His wish? For Betts to hit a home run during the Sox’s home game against rival Yankees.
But Betts would do him far better. By the time the game was over, Betts hit three home runs, saying Nico served as his inspiration.
“Kind of keeps it in perspective when we have a bad day. Always someone looking up to you, you have to be positive for,” Betts said.
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