This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
NEW YORK – Examining the special-edition Topps Now card commemorating Ben Rice's 40th home run, your attention is drawn to the Yankees slugger in the midst of a picture-perfect follow-through, having launched a Sept. 23 drive over Yankee Stadium’s right-field wall.
Look closer, though, and you may spot something even more meaningful. A red wristband is visible on Rice’s left wrist, as it was for every game since his April visit to Boston Children’s Hospital, where he was among the Yankees to meet 7-year-old Walker Farrington.
Born with a congenital heart defect and awaiting a transplant, young Walker was thrilled to discover that Rice continued wearing the wristband throughout the season, according to his mother, Nicole.
“Ben never took it off,” Farrington said in a telephone interview. “He made the conscious decision to wear it every single game -- the Home Run Derby, the All-Star Game. It was just so fun for us to see a little bit of Walker along for the ride.”
And now there was a baseball card to prove it. Walker gleefully showed it to every doctor and nurse who entered his room, saying, “Look! Look!”
The hospital staff has become accustomed to high-profile encounters involving Walker. Rice, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and manager Aaron Boone were among the Yankees to visit Walker in April, during the club’s series at Fenway Park.
“It was fun,” Rice said then. “It just puts things into perspective for you. You see what this little guy and his family are going through. For him to still have such a great attitude and be so positive, it was really cool to see.”
During that visit, Rice accepted one of the wristbands, which reads, “Walker the Heart Warrior, Bravely Waiting and Fighting Strong.” It includes Walker’s ‘signature’ -- a letter ‘W’ with a heart above it.
Rice then made it part of his game-day uniform, and he wasn’t alone. Rice’s girlfriend, Sara Falkson, even wore one when she ran the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.
According to Nicole, Schlittler sported the wristband for a few innings of his next start, until umpires determined it could be distracting to hitters. Boone kept his on in the dugout all year; watching on television from Boston, the Farringtons delighted when they spotted it during the manager’s postgame press conferences.
“These red bracelets have taken on a life of their own,” she said. “It’s just been really incredible to see them out in the world. A lot of life is happening outside of these walls that we can’t be a part of. We’ve got so many people supporting us and thinking of Walker, praying and living life for him right now.”
The Farringtons have been in Boston since April 12, having temporarily relocated from Westchester County, N.Y. They anticipate spending approximately 12-18 months in the hospital as they await what Nicole has called “Walker’s miracle heart.”
While they do, Walker is keeping busy; his mother jokes that his social calendar may be more packed than anyone they know.
“He’s active and has so much energy,” she said. “He’s honestly thriving here. We just can’t leave, but he’s really stable. If we can wait like this, we’re good, as long as it takes. His team is incredible, just making sure he is medically optimized and in the best shape possible when we do get the call.”
Walker has received visits from numerous other recognizable figures, including musician Joe Jonas and the Knicks’ Josh Hart. His hospital room has been brightened by frequent shipments from the Bronx, with the Yankees sending along every bobblehead and giveaway item from this year’s home schedule.
“Cam came on his own time in June, visiting for two hours and opening Pokemon cards,” Nicole said. “Ben and Sara are planning to come in the next couple of months. We’ve been able to establish these beautiful relationships. We’re just keeping that vision of him walking into Yankee Stadium, with the team behind him.”
The Yankees are looking forward to that day, too. During his April visit, Rice autographed a jersey for Walker with the inscription: “We can do hard things!”
And as he prepared for that night’s game at Fenway, Rice pointed to the red bracelet on his wrist, saying it would be a way to show his support.
“We know he’s watching,” Rice said.