Back to the Boston Red Sox Newsfeed

Papi reunites with fan battling heart defect

BOSTON -- Just when Maverick Schutte thought he couldn't experience a bigger thrill than David Ortiz promising him a home run and delivering one against the Yankees, the 6-year-old boy learned otherwise throughout a thrill-filled Wednesday he won't forget.

The high point for Maverick had to be throwing out the first pitch before Wednesday's Red Sox-Athletics game at Fenway Park. Ortiz -- who else? -- caught it.

But there were many more moments to remember for a courageous boy who has a congenital heart defect that has led to more than 30 surgeries in his young life.