A young boy caught a ball thrown to him by Pirates outfielder Jake Mangum and gave it to his little sister in a viral moment capped by their hug.
Mangum told 93.7 De Fan Sunday that the girl pointed to his name on her jersey beforehand, and that he was touched because it was the first time he saw his number worn in the stadium. So he motioned for her to throw the ball her way.
Elle’s brother, Edward, who had a glove, stepped in to make a nifty scoop over the railing and immediately gave it to her. The exchange prompted a sweet embrace as their father Chris cheered.
“Jake Mangum is my favorite player,” Elle told ABC News host David Muir on Monday.
Edward remembered the ‘amazing’ emotions he felt.
“It felt great to catch that ball over the rail,” he said. “It felt even more amazing to give it to her and hug her.”
mango, who had two hits in the Pirates’ 6-3 victory over visiting Tampa Bay, was pleased with the kids’ winning experience.
“That’s what baseball is all about,” he said. “She’s a big Pittsburgh Pirates fan. And she has a really good big brother.”
It gets even better. The children have been invited to Pirates owner Bob Nutting’s suite for an upcoming game and to meet Mangum, Muir reported.
