Role reversal: Young patients sign autographs for Cubs players at Wrigley Field
The Friendly Confines proved particularly friendly Wednesday for five young patients who’ve battled serious illnesses.
The patients, all die-hard Cubs fans, took part in a “reverse autograph signing” experience made possible by the Chicago Cubs and Advocate Health Care.
They were ushered into a room and seated at a table holding Cubs jerseys emblazoned with their names, a baseball and custom trading cards with their pictures and space for autographs. There they autographed the cards for Cubs players who came down to greet them.
The group included 14-year-old Caiden Ray, who lives in McHenry and plays youth baseball in Mundelein.
A student at McHenry Middle School, Caiden said he hopes to play professional baseball. Although he plays a number of positions, his favorite is catcher, because catchers control what happens in the field.
His proud grandmother, Maria Ray, said Caiden has the hitting ability of Sammy Sosa, the running style of Javier Baez and the personality of Kris Bryant.
“It’s a new experience. It feels crazy,” Caiden said of sharing the room with players from his favorite team.
Among them was the one he described as probably his favorite player, Pete Crow-Armstrong.
“Just seeing him face to face feels a lot different than over the TV,” Caiden said.
Caiden was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 5 in 2016, the same year the Cubs won the World Series. Family members said Caiden began complaining of headaches and one day woke up with numbness and tingling. Doctors discovered a golf-ball-sized tumor at the base of the brain.
While the team was fighting for a championship, Caiden was waging a battle to survive, aided by his team at Advocate.
His mother, Brianna Ray, said the tumor has since been removed. While now in remission, he still undergoes regular checkups.
“Going through it was rough, because I lost the ability to walk,” Caiden said, adding that being bed-bound was difficult. “But getting through it and being able to play my sport again feels amazing.”
Cubs player Nico Hoerner helped organize Wednesday’s event, Advocate Health Care spokeswoman Vicky Lewis said. It’s one of several in which Advocate partners with the Cubs.
The concept originated with Hoerner's agency and fellow MLB player Mitch Haniger.
“People watch on TV, but it's a different thing to get face to face, and same goes for us too. It’s fun to be in person with fans,” Hoerner said. “They make what we do possible.”