Cards fan Urruela selected as club's Hero winner

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals fan Brian Taylor Urruela, of Tampa, Fla., has been chosen as one of 30 winners in Major League Baseball and People Magazine's "Tribute for Heroes" campaign. Urruela will participate in several All-Star Week festivities and be featured in the July 22 issue of People Magazine.

Urruela, who served in the United States Army Infantry for more than six years, lost his leg during an explosion in Iraq in 2006. After returning home, Urruela helped start VETSports, a non-profit organization that provides adaptive sports opportunities for wounded and combat veterans. The organization also created an annual college benefit for the son of Urruela's commander, who lost his life in the explosion that took Urruela's leg.

Urruela, a Purple Heart recipient, is currently studying sports management at the University of Tampa and intends to try out for their junior varsity baseball team.

Urruela will be honored during an on-field ceremony before next Tuesday's All-Star Game at Citi Field. He was selected as one of the 30 contest winners -- one representing each club -- from a group of 90 finalists.