Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe wore a special chest protector during MLB’s Players Weekend.
O’Hoppe, 24, played three Angels games in Anaheim, California against the Atlanta Braves carrying signatures and drawings of patients undergoing cancer treatment at Miller Children’s Hospital.
The Long Island native — who was drafted by the Phillies in 2018 — brought a chest protector for patients at Children’s Hospital to be signed during a visit with Angels pitcher Hunter Strickland on Tuesday, Aug. 13, as seen in a video shared by MLB on X ( formerly Twitter).
Before unveiling his custom gear at the game, O’Hoppe told reporters including Men’s magazine“We had the kids sign and draw on it and then they wrote their names inside.”
“It’s going to be a cool weekend and hopefully give them all something to smile about,” he continued. “I’m happy that they’re giving us the opportunity to shine a light on a lot of things that we care about.”
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The sweet gesture, which honors patients at the hospital battling cancer, served as a nod to O’Hoppe’s father, who celebrated his two-year anniversary of being cancer-free at his son’s Aug. 7 home game against the New York Yankees, according to MLB.
The O’Hoppe family went big for their celebration of Michael O’Hoppe, gathering 350 of their friends at Yankee Stadium near where Logan grew up on Long Island as a big fan of the New York baseball team.
dr. Oscar Lahoud, who became close to the O’Hoppe family while treating Michael at Memorial Sloan Kettering, was the family’s guest of honor during the game. “It’s a real privilege,” Dr. Lahoud told MLB.com, emphasizing “how tight a family core” the O’Hoppes are as a unit.
“It’s really amazing. And Logan hasn’t changed over the years, even after becoming the superstar he is today,” added Dr. Lahoud.
Logan O’Hoppe August 17, 2024
John Cordes/Icon Sportswire/Getty
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Also speaking to MLB on Aug. 7, Michael said it was a “blessing” to be able to celebrate two years cancer-free with his family at Yankee Stadium. “Not too long ago, I didn’t know if I was going to be here or not,” Michael said. “So to have my friends and family and the doctor who saved my life and his staff here means everything. I’m just beyond blessed and grateful.”
Logan told MLB it was “scary” when his father was diagnosed. “But it taught us a lot about life and really put things into perspective. Like when you’re going through that, baseball doesn’t seem to matter as much.”
“Obviously he’s healed now and he wouldn’t want to go through that again, but I’m certainly grateful for the lessons we’ve learned,” the Angels catcher said.
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Source: HIS Education