Tampa Bay Rays fans were witness to a feel-good story in their 9-8 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.
While one of those things was seeing the team go 4-1 on the season, that wasn’t all they saw that night.
The evening started with Chloe Grimes on the mound for the first pitch.
She was there as a cancer survivor facing a second bout with cancer.
The eight-year-old girl would give the heater and meet with the Rays players before the game started.
One of those players was Brett Phillips.
She gave him one of her wrist bands after he caught her pitch.
He said the gift will bring him good luck.
That good luck would happen in the third inning for Phillips.
Phillips Hits Home Run For Grimes During Her Interview
With the Rays ahead 5-3 in the bottom of the third, Grimes was interviewed about her first pitch to Phillips.
While she was interviewed, Phillips was at bat.
As Grimes told the world why Phillips was her favorite player, he would send a 2-2 pitch over the fence for a home run.
AWESOME story out of Tampa Bay! Chloe Grimes, an 8 year old Tampa Bay Rays fan who is currently battling cancer, was on the call when her favorite player, Brett Phillips, hit a homer pic.twitter.com/Gpcu5BOxNZ
— Sippin With The Boys (@Sippinwtheboys) April 13, 2022
It would be emotional for both Phillips and Grimes.
While the home run would put the team up 6-3, it also helped the team later in the game.
Athletics Tie Game In The Seventh
The Athletics would tie the game 7-7 in the seventh inning.
That made the Phillips home run even more important for the team.
The team would exchange scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth innings.
It sent the game into extra innings, giving the Rays one last chance to win the game.
The Rays would surrender a run in the tenth, making things look grim for the team.
However, a hit by Manuel Margot lifted the team to a 9-8 victory.
The tenth-inning rally pushed the Rays across the finishing line to reach their 4-1 record.
What happened next in a post-game interview with Phillips would bring people to tears.
A Rally For Chloe Was Inspiration To Phillips
Phillips revealed in his post game interview the gifts Chloe Grimes gave to him.
Brett got emotional after the game talking about his special encounter with Chloe. This is what sports is all about! pic.twitter.com/cFJzYZOFGk
— Sippin With The Boys (@Sippinwtheboys) April 13, 2022
He got emotional talking about the softball he was given and the wristband.
It showed the world that there are players that truly care for their fans.
Grimes is a special fan of the Rays and Phillips, as we saw last night.
As she battles cancer, she still had a smile on her face and got to throw out the first pitch.
She met with her favorite player, who found inspiration in her story of fighting cancer.
Not every day there is a feel-good story about sports.
However, fans saw a feel-good moment on Tuesday night in Tampa Bay.
We were reminded that we can find inspiration from people from all walks of life.
So as Phillips prays for Grimes to win her second battle with cancer, we know she inspired him.
Her fighting spirit should inspire us all to be the best we can every day.
