Travis Snider invites his No. 1 fan to come from Bangkok to see him play

We all remember, in some hazy, foggy way, when we first fell in love with a favorite baseball player. Perhaps it was while an older sibling sorted cards with the game on in the background. Maybe it was while a parent read us bedtime stories of their hero. And maybe it was simply spending hours every day obsessively watching TV for Rey Ordonez highlights in the days before YouTube. 

For 8-year-old Wyatt Anthony, his came in a moment of psychic brilliance. Then 6 years old and living near Pittsburgh, Wyatt and his family were listening to the Pirates game on the radio when Travis Snider came to bat as a pinch-hitter and the bases full. Wyatt, as he usually did, called for a grand slam. Except this time, Wyatt explained:

"Usually I say I HOPE someone hits a grand slam. But he's GONNA hit a grand slam. Watch."

Sure enough, the outfielder with a healthy appetite for red meat hammered one out of the park and Wyatt had a new favorite player.

Wyatt began obsessively writing Snider's No. 23 everywhere like he was Jim Carrey in that terrible film. He wore a Travis Snider authentic jersey. And he drew pictures of the right fielder, making sure to include the rosy cheeks: 

"@anthonyted: @Lunchboxhero45 note: a holiday drawing from your biggest fan Wyatt 7. pic.twitter.com/yRe0Zadd6u" that's awesome! Happy Holidays!

- Travis Snider (@Lunchboxhero45) December 30, 2013

Wyatt was even lucky enough to be at PNC Park and meet Snider, posing for a picture with the outfielder, just before the family moved to Bangkok, Thailand.

While he and his older brother were able to acclimate to their new country and culture, Wyatt received a piece of heartbreaking news this winter while located across the ocean: Travis Snider had been traded to the Orioles. 

@Lunchboxhero45 8-yr-old Pittsburgher living in Thailand is v. sad about his favorite player 2day & wishes u success. pic.twitter.com/yXdmQj2uCv

- Ted Anthony (@anthonyted) January 28, 2015

Fortunately, the outfielder with rosy cheeks and his new team were there for them. The Orioles have invited the family out to Camden Yards for a game and batting practice this summer, making sure to include an Orioles gift package for Snider's biggest fan. Wyatt whipped up some new art in appreciation:

And how has Wyatt taken to switching from the black and gold? Well, isn't orange the new black?