Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Willson Contreras gave one young Cubs fan a birthday surprise he will never forget

Daniel Rodriguez turns 10 on Wednesday and has a special friend that goes by the name of Willson Contreras. The two were reunited on Tuesday after a few months of being apart.
According to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, in February, the Cubs partnered with Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago to treat nine families to a trip to Spring Training. Among them was Rodriguez, who has Down syndrome, and his parents Will and Nyvia. 
Rodriguez connected with Contreras after the two met during a hospital visit Contreras made at Advocate. Contreras has a cousin in Venezuela who also has Down syndrome -- and looking at the photos, the two instantly formed a strong bond.

Months later, the two were reacquainted prior to the Cubs' afternoon matchup against the White Sox at Wrigley Field.
Daniel ran up to Contreras the moment he stepped foot outside the dugout and greeted him with a great big hug. Contreras gifted him with a signed helmet, a pair of batting gloves and, after he signed a jersey for him, gave him one more hug as the crowd around them cheered.

To add to the birthday celebration, Contreras hit a three-run home run during the bottom of the first -- something else to bring to a day of memories for Daniel.

BarberJordan
beephero
AP_702417634020
NYC