Photo Credit: Gregory Harutunian
Christian Yelich and Cooper Roberts
Cooper Roberts is one of the many victims from last year’s July 4 Highland Park shootings. The 9-year old is confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down, while undergoing a long and difficult physical recovery process. By all accounts, he is working hard and still smiling.
Within days of the tragedy, the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team learned out that Cooper is a fan, and his favorite player is outfielder Christian Yelich. The organization paid honored him by hanging a jersey in the dugout, emblazoned with his name, and Yelich’s “22” uniform number.
“It’s a Brewers fan, and we want to show support for him and his family, and the incredibly difficult times they are facing,” said manager Craig Counsell, at the time. “You can’t imagine…the strength to go through something like that is unimaginable. We’re doing such a small thing that hopefully can make one part of the day better for him”
In a statement, the Brewers also said they will remain in contact with the family. “(We) are looking to set up a meeting between him and his favorite players, when the time is appropriate.”
Promise Kept
Photo Credit: Gregory Harutunian
Cooper Roberts
That time came Monday, with a promise kept, during the opening of a four-game series with the rival Chicago Cubs. Roberts was given the honor of making the ceremonial first pitch to open the game. It was a beautiful sunny day and a crowd of 43,000 people had packed Milwaukee’s American Family Field.
Surrounded by family and other invited members of the Highland Park community who were impacted by the incident, the young man was the focal point at home plate. Yelich sidled up beside the entourage and surprised him.
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With help from his brother, Luke, who was hit by shrapnel that day, Cooper was pushed out to the 30-foot mark between the pitcher’s mound, and home plate, where Yelich crouched to catch the toss. He looped a perfect strike on one bounce.
Yelich then bounced up, went out to meet the family, and gave the ball to Cooper. “This is a difficult time of the year for the Roberts family, and all of those who were impacted by the Highland Park tragedy,” said Rick Schlesinger, Brewers president of baseball operations. “Having Cooper here today, alongside his family, represents a milestone in this long path to recovery, for the entire community.
“We are honored to have the Roberts family with us at American Family Field for Cooper’s first pitch and wish them all the best,” he said.
The ceremonies included the roaring flyover of a KC-135R Stratotanker, from the Wisconsin Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing, that shook the stadium, following the National Anthem.
“This is a wonderful day, and a nice thing to do for him,” said Jennifer Ashley, a fan attending the game. “Having some light come out of a bad thing is pure hope.”
Incidentally, the Brewers were down 6-0. They rallied to tie the score and took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Who figured in the scoring? Yelich. He singled, stole a base and scored the winning run, for an 8-6 win. Somewhere, Cooper was smiling.
