Red Sox, Boston College Honor Pete Frates During Spring Game
BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- You may have had a difficult time telling the players apart during Tuesday's Red Sox-Boston College game in Fort Myers, Florida.
As the BC Eagles took on the Red Sox in the second half of Boston's annual college double header, every member of both teams wore a No. 3, Frates jersey in honor of Pete Frates, a former Boston College outfielder who is currently battling ALS.
Frates was not in attendance, but members of his family were honored before the game.
"Pete's health is deteriorating," said his wife, Julie Kowalik.
The couple's 7-month-old daughter, Lucy, and Frates' parents joined her at the ballpark.
Pete's parents, wife and daughter on the field. Great moment. @PeteFrates3 on all our minds. pic.twitter.com/gAiFBU4FrE
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) March 3, 2015
What an honor! So incredibly humbled. Thanks to @BCBirdBall @RedSox and @TeamFrateTrain! #StrikeoutALS
— Pete Frates (@PeteFrates3) March 3, 2015
"I think it means more than I ever felt it would to physically be here for him," Kowalik said. "Honestly, for him to see Lucy on this field might be one of the greatest joys of his lifetime."
"We're so excited to be here and Lucy, she's taking part in her first spring training. I'm sure it's the first of many," she said.
Boston College coach Mike Gambino said the current players know Frates well.
"He's been with this team for five straight years and these boys are so close to him," Gambino said.
The Red Sox have also become close to Frates.
"What an honor it is for the Red Sox to be able to salute someone who has so magnificently changed the world," Red Sox executive vice president Charles Steinberg said.
Frates inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge, which helped raise over $100 million for the ALS over the summer. He was a Boston College team captain as a senior in 2007.
The Red Sox beat the Eagles 1-0 in the seven inning game.
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