May 5, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Pirates' Bryan Reynolds Honors Young Fan with Home Run

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Ethan Merrill | Last updated May 18, 2025 7:02 AM ET

For Bryan Reynolds, Saturday night in Philadelphia was more than just a game—it was a story of perseverance, kindness, and a little bit of magic. The 30-year-old veteran created a night to remember at Citizens Bank Park, blending an emotional reunion with an on-field breakthrough.

Last September, Reynolds sent a care package and an encouraging video to a boy named Chase, a Philadelphia native and diehard Pirates fan, after he underwent a difficult procedure following a Leukemia diagnosis. The gesture meant the world to Chase and his family.

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When asked after the game what the home run meant to him, Reynolds confirmed he was trying to provide a moment for Chase to remember.

"I told him I was going to try and get a hit for him," said Reynolds. "So that was cool. That's exciting he was able to see that."

Reynolds finished the night 2-for-3, showing signs of shaking off his recent struggles at the plate. Reynolds — and frustrated Pirates fans — hopes that tonight's performance sparks a turnaround for himself offensively. Reynolds is hitting .202 on the season, with 6 home runs and 22 RBI.

"I feel like I had the off day, kind of reset and worked on some things. I felt good the first few at-bats against [starting pitcher Zach] Wheeler," said Reynolds. "I hope to build off [tonight]".

For Chase, the entire experience was a dream come true. Although Reynolds was the one who initiated the kind gesture last fall, the entire Pirates team made him feel like one of them for a day.

The Pirates went on to fall to the Phillies 5-2, with Reynolds’ homer providing the only scoring for the Pittsburgh and erasing a shutout.

But for everyone in the ballpark, the real victory was the reminder of how sports can bring hope, joy, and a little bit of fairy-tale magic.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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