PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mason Black and his younger brother woke up the morning of Oct. 7, 2011 and were surprised to find Phillies tickets for a playoff game that night resting on a dresser.
Their dad had said he wanted to take his sons — Mason Black was not only a die-hard Phillies fan, but his favorite pitcher, Roy Halladay, got the ball that night in Game 5 of the NL Division Series.
“They found them and came running downstairs and were like, ‘What are these?’” the boys’ father, George Black, said.
“I said, ‘We’re going tonight!’ They almost came out of their shoes.”
Thirteen years later, George Black and his sons were back at Citizens Bank Park and Mason was very much in his shoes — more like his cleats, as the right-handed starting pitcher made his major league debut for the San Francisco Giants against the Phillies.
“I tried not to look up too much,” Black said. “Just kind of keep the focus on the plate and where I was.”
Money isn't enough to smooth the path for Republican candidates hoping to retake the Senate
China Focus: China embraces wider winter sports, leisure participation
Medal hero keeping the kung fu spirit alive
Xi Says Chinese Modernization to Bring New Opportunities to China
James Corden appears in good spirits as he arrives with glamorous wife Julia Carey at the pre
National Games witnesses development of China's sports map
NPPA says it approves 105 home
State Council approves new nuclear plants
Hospital operator Steward Health Care files for bankruptcy protection
Chinese mainland resumes import of rockfish from Taiwan
Boca Raton's most expensive waterfront property sold for $40M
China's goal of engaging 300 million people in winter sports achieved: survey