BOSTON — It was a day and night that 6-year-old Maverick Shutte will never forget and neither will a lot of other people who got to witness it.
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"An experience of a lifetime to come up here," said Marti Linnane. "It's like a fairy tale for a mom. For Maverick, it's just amazing. He's beyond overjoyed. He's so happy. He said it's the best day of his life every time we do anything with the Red Sox. As soon as he hit the field today, he said, 'I can't believe I'm in Fenway.' It's so fun."
Two weeks ago, David Ortiz promised to hit a home run for Maverick against the Yankees and he did. Before and after that moment Ortiz and Maverick exchanged videos. Maverick has a congenital heart defect that has led to more than 30 surgeries since he was born. His plight was brought to Ortiz attention by David's former teammate, Kevin Millar.
Maverick and his family flew to Boston on Wednesday morning from their home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Maverick came to Fenway with his mother Marti Linnane, stepfather Mike Linnane and half-sister Taylor Linnane
"He's been smiling the whole time he's been here," said Ortiz. "We're talking about a boy who is 6 years old -- he's been through hell. Thirty-something surgeries at the age of six. He's a hero. You're always talking about superheroes. He's a hero. He's been able to get through all the tough times."
Maverick had the time of his life at Fenway on this day. He spent time in the Red Sox clubhouse, dugout and hung out with the players and team at batting practice
Maverick even took batting practice of his own. He behind the Sox batting cage with Ortiz on one knee throwing to him.
The biggest thrill of all came right before the Sox game against Oakland as Maverick threw out the first pitch to, who else, David Ortiz.
Yes, it was a night that Maverick, and a lot of other people, will never forget