LOS ANGELES -- Sean Harris didn’t have any time to react. All he remembers is seeing Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages take a big hack that produced a scorching shot just foul of the left-field line.
As a ballboy, Harris always wanted to stay ready to make the play. When that opportunity came this season, he didn’t miss it. In the blink of an eye, Harris was able to snag the ball, quickly getting a round of applause from the fans behind him.
In the moment, Harris didn’t think much of it, though he did get a fist bump from Teoscar Hernández as the Dodgers outfielder went back to left field during the next half-inning. But once Harris got home, he opened Instagram to find his friends tagging him on a post that had since gone viral on social media.
“It was pretty cool to see,” Harris said. “That play happened pretty quick. Andy Pages hit it pretty hard and it was getting over me. I just jumped for my life and I caught it. I said something to the fan next to me like, ‘Almost got by me’ or something. It all happened so fast.”
What not even Harris could’ve expected is that this particular play might get him to the 2024 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field as a member of the MLB All-Star Ball Crew.
The new initiative was designed to highlight MLB ballboys and girls and the viral moments they create, with the ultimate prize for two winners being a trip to the Midsummer Classic to serve as All-Star Ballboys/girls during the game itself.
“Growing up in LA, it was always a dream to be on the field as a Los Angeles Dodger,” Harris said. “To be a nominee as an All-Star is just surreal.”
Harris’ path to Dodger Stadium was different than he expected, but one that has given him plenty of good memories.
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Growing up in Glendale, Harris’ best baseball memories were centered around the Dodgers. Like Harris said, his dream was always to put on a Dodgers uniform, especially at Dodger Stadium.
Harris played baseball at Glendale High School and then went on to suit up for Glendale College. Once his playing career came to an end, he heard about an opportunity to be a ballboy at Dodger Stadium in 2018.
Without hesitation, Harris decided to apply. He then got it, fulfilling his lifelong dream. That long journey -- and his impressive defensive skills on that Pages scorcher -- could help him realize another one in Arlington.
“Our job is pretty much to keep the players in rhythm and in the game -- field ground balls, warm up the players and get the occasional beach ball that wanders onto the field,” Harris said. “For me, it was just always a dream to put on a Dodger uniform.”