A Maryland teen who recently battled brain cancer got his wish fulfilled when he became a member of the Baltimore
Orioles for a day.
Jimmy Martino signed a one-day contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, becoming an honorary member of
the Major League football club. Not only did he throw out the ceremonial first pitch, but he also met a number of
football players, including his favorite, Adam Jones.
The 17-year-old student’s dream was granted courtesy to Make-A-dream Mid-Atlantic, a local organization that
grants the wants of children and teens with life-threatening illnesses.
Martino’s father, Pat, told ABC News that his son was diagnosed with brain cancer on Christmas Day, 2016.
“He had been complaining about severe headaches and nausea in the weeks leading up,” Pat Martino, 46, said.
A day later, the teenager from Fallston, Maryland, underwent brain surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
He was eventually treated with rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Martino’s mother, Cindy, told ABC News
in July that physicians had assured them their son was in remission.
On Friday, the family received even another silver lining as they witnessed Martino’s dream being granted.
During a press conference to begin the day, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette stated,
“As a parent, you’re simply grateful that your children are healthy, and it’s youngsters like these who have to go out
and fight the fight every day. They remind you to appreciate the health of your family.”
