SAN DIEGO -- The Padres signed a promising young right-hander on Wednesday afternoon. Then they gave him the experience of a lifetime.
Five-year-old Levi Smith -- an ardent Padres fan born with a congenital heart condition -- signed a one-day contract with the team, and he made the most of his day with the club. In partnership with Make-A-Wish San Diego, the Padres hosted Smith for the day. He took grounders in the infield, ran the bases and even got his own locker in the home clubhouse.
"It's excitement that I don't even know how to express," said Hannah Smith, Levi's mom.