A love of baseball leads to a wish come true in Manatee County.
On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates helped Owen Taylor’s dreams come true of playing baseball with his favorite MLB player.
Taylor, 7, not only got to play ball with the Pittsburgh Pirates team, he also got to hang out with Andrew McCutchen.
“We have just been out having a really good time and throwing some balls and taking some infield and outfield,” said McCutchen, the Pirates Centerfielder and 2013 National League MVP. “He’s teaching me some things.”
The opportunity was made possible through the Make a Wish Foundation. Owen was born with a congenital heart defect.
“He’s doing great,” said his father, Bryan Taylor. “He has no limitations. He’s had a few procedures so far and has at least one or two more to go to get the condition corrected.”
Owen and has family are visiting from Everett, Pennsylvania. They were able to stay the night at the team facility and tour Pirates City and McKechnie Field.
The Young Pirates fan was given his own jersey and threw the first pitch of the Spring Training game on Tuesday afternoon. He even signed autographs for his fans.
Joking around with Owen before the game, McCutchen said, “I’m not starting today. So, if you want to start in center field you can.”
Owen agreed. “Yah,” he said.
His parents said they’ll never forget this experience.
“He’s always loved baseball and this really fulfilled his dream,” said Tracy Taylor, Owen’s mother. “He always watches all of the games and to just be here is incredible.”
Everyone involved with the visit, said they were thrilled to help make it happen.
“We’ve all been a kid before,” said McCutchen. “You have somebody you look up to and I count it as a privilege and honor that Owen would want to come out and hang out with me for a day.”
It’s a day Owen and his family said they’ll never forget. The Pirates lost 13-2 to the Houston Astros.