Wilton Boy Fighting Tumor Becomes Honorary Member Of Yankees

WILTON, Conn. – Wilton’s Ryan Tucker, 12, was adopted as an honorary player of the New York Yankees on Wednesday as part of the team’s Hope Week at Yankee Stadium.

Wilton's Ryan Tucker, left, meets Derek Jeter at Yankee Stadium. Tucker, 12, was adopted as an honorary member of the team along with two other children who are fighting brain tumors.
Photo Credit: *Screen grab from NewYorkYankees.mlb.com*

Tom Renner

06/20/2014 4:30 a.m.

Tucker and two other children, Sean Callahan of Mahopac, N.Y., and his cousin Quinn Ostergren of Tolland were part of the Friends of Jaclyn program, which pairs children with brain tumors with sports teams. The kids then become honorary members of the clubs.

The young players signed their contracts and wore Yankees uniforms. They also fielded questions from media. “I’m having a lot of fun,’’ Ryan said in a story posted on the Yankees Major League website.

"It's an exciting day here for the New York Yankees," Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said in introducing the players. "Our job in the front office, with our scouts and our analysts, (is to) always to try and find personnel out there that's going to improve the Yankee tradition, history, and family. We feel that the creative individuals we have up here with Quinn, Ryan, and Sean, that you embody everything that the Yankees aspire to be."

Ryan began his battle at age 3 and his favorite player is Derek Jeter. His father told The Advocate that the boy finished treatments in February, and his condition is stable.

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