Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts/Rhode Island, David Ortiz give Mass. 12-year-old unforgettable day

BOSTON, Massachusetts – On Wednesday, a 12-year-old Massachusetts boy had his wish to meet David Ortiz granted by Make-A-Wish^® Massachusetts and Rhode Island in partnership with the Boston Red Sox.

Colin Case of Brockton, who received a kidney transplant last June, shares a love of baseball and the Red Sox with his grandfather and mother, and has lots of knowledge about the team’s players and history. As a lefty and a first baseman, Case has always admired David Ortiz. Anticipating his wish to meet Ortiz has helped him stay optimistic as he recovered from his kidney transplant and continues with weekly clinic visits.

Case was personally welcomed to Fenway Park on Wednesday afternoon by Ortiz, who escorted him onto the field to watch warmups and batting practice. Ortiz shared some pointers with Case, lefty first baseman to lefty first baseman, and introduced him to players. Case and his family—mom Jennifer Case and grandfather Brian Case—then toured the ballpark and had an inside view of the Green Monster. The family took in the evening’s game from Aura Pavilion seats, as the Red Sox played against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Leading up his VIP experience at Fenway Park, Case and his family were hosted for lunch at his favorite restaurant, The 1048 Bar & Grill in Randolph, MA. Restaurant owners Joseph and Kerry Berry also arranged for the Randolph and Braintree police departments to provide a special escort from the restaurant to Fenway Park, with participation from the Massachusetts State Police.

David Ortiz was honored last year as the charity’s 2023 Wish Hero and has now granted 41 wishes through Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“I am honored to have been part of making Colin’s wish come true, and I’m grateful for the efforts of Make-A-Wish in brightening the lives of fighters like Colin and their loved ones,” said Ortiz. “I am humbled to have been a part of granting dozens of wishes during my time in Boston and bringing moments of pure joy to these kids and families. To be honest with you, it has meant so much to me being able to see the smiles on the faces of those who are going through so much adversity.  Together, we can continue building legacies of love, hope, and support that will inspire for generations to come.”

“We cannot thank the Red Sox and Big Papi enough for providing such an unforgettable experience for Colin and so many of our wish children,” said Amy Carroll, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Vice President of Mission Delivery. “Looking forward to an experience with their favorite team or athlete gives these kids something to hold onto during treatments, and it reminds them that there is so much joy in a world that is often very difficult for them and their families.”

Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island will team up again with the Red Sox as they host Make-A-Wish Day at the game on August 23 vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the organization’s mission of granting life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses. For more details, visit massri.wish.org/events.