President Obama Arranges For Boston Marathon Victim To Take Field With Chicago White Sox
President Obama set up a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing with a dream weekend in Chicago, contacting his hometown White Sox to get the marathon runner onto the field before a game.
Obama had met with bombing survivor Karen Rand in the days after the attack while she was still in the hospital recovering from her injuries. They had a brief exchange, but Obama stayed long enough for her boyfriend Kevin McWatters to tell the president about the trip they’d planned to Chicago.
He’s the leader of the free world, but Obama still has some particular pull in the Windy City, so after hearing the request he decided to reach out to the White Sox. Obama asked if they could bring Karen Rand onto the field — and apparently you don’t say no when the president asks you for a favor.
The team brought Rand onto the field for Saturday’s game against the Oakland Athletics. Rand, who lost her leg below the knee, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game and also met with White Sox outfielder Alex Rios and A’s outfielders Josh Reddick and Coco Crisp.
“I actually didn’t expect this,” Rand said. “This is overwhelming sitting here and being on this field and having people come over. It’s been great. I’m really excited and it’s been a fun day for us.
“I thought we’d be in the box and maybe people would wave. I didn’t know what to expect but not this. This is amazing. We’re being treated like royalty and we’re really just humble, simple people, so it’s really nice for us to be out here. We’re really enjoying it.”
President Obama isn’t the only one who has pitched in to help Boston Marathon bombing victims. In the days after the attack many celebrities, including actor Bradley Cooper and New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, paid a visit to victims at a Boston hospital. Last month a number of acts including Aerosmith and New Kids on the Block staged a benefit concert in Boston.
(Photo via Chicago White Sox Facebook page)
