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Frelick surprises pediatric patients
Three Aurora pediatric patients got an MVP experience at Brewers spring training earlier this year. On Tuesday, they reunited – and got a surprise.
MILWAUKEE - Three Aurora Health Care pediatric patients got an MVP experience at Milwaukee Brewers spring training earlier this year. On Tuesday, they reunited – and got a surprise from a special guest.
Big-league surprise
Local perspective:
All three Wisconsin kids have gone through a lot of health challenges: Blake Baker had a benign brain tumor, Tyler Morano has progressive hearing loss, and Natasha Taylor's bones grow abnormally.
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The three, along with their families, had a tailgate lunch and pickup game at Helfaer Field on Tuesday. Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick, who also spent time with them during spring training, popped in to play.
Brewers spring training: Aurora pediatric patients' MVP experience
Three Aurora Health Care patients, each of whom has endured life-changing health challenges, got the MVP experience at Brewers spring training this week.
"It wasn't just me, it was the whole team, we brought them over to the complex so they could meet all the players," he said, recounting their February meeting. "Just seeing the smiles on their faces means everything."
Frelick also surprised the kids and their families with tickets to Tuesday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Spring training trip
The backstory:
Before the kids made it to American Family Fields of Phoenix in February, they received a send-off celebration in Milwaukee. They met Bernie Brewer and the Famous Racing Sausages before heading to the airport and catching their flight.
Baker, Morano and Taylor got to meet Frelick and Rhys Hoskins during a private dinner once they got to Arizona, but the fun didn't stop there.
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The kids got complete access to the Brewers' spring training complex. They met players and staff – including former All-Star Ryan Braun and manager Pat Murphy. They toured the clubhouse and got to go through catching and batting drills with the team.
The MVP experience came to an end when the Brewers played the Cincinnati Reds in the spring training opener. All three kids got to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. They were recognized in a pre-game ceremony and participated as in-game junior announcers, too.
Editor's note: This story was updated with a correction.
The Source: FOX6 News attended Tuesday's event and referenced prior coverage of the kids' experiences, which includes information from Aurora Health Care.