A 12-year-old Blue Jays fan with special needs got to watch his favourite team in the playoffs on Friday, thanks to some help from the team’s president.
Joseph Nastamagou, who has cerebral palsy, had his dream come true when he got to sit behind homeplate at the Rogers Centre for Game 2 of the American League Division Series.
It didn’t look like it was going to happen the morning the playoff tickets went on sale. Joseph’s sister, Samantha Bright tried everything to get her brother game tickets, and she managed to secure three -- then her computer crashed. That left the family with only one ticket.
After the tickets were lost, they didn’t give up.
“I said, ‘Mom, we should call whoever we can see on the Internet, just call anyone to see what would happen,’” Samantha said.
Joseph’s mother, Christina Nastamagou, didn’t call just anyone -- she phoned and left a message for Paul Beeston, president of the Blue Jays.
To their surprise, he called back.
“The next day he called back personally and said, ‘What can I do to help you?’” Samantha said.
And then he delivered.
Joseph received two lower level tickets, two signed baseballs and a handwritten letter from Beeston himself:
“I hope you enjoy the game and we are counting on you to help us get to victory,” read part of the letter. “Thank you for all your cheers and support and take care.”
On Friday morning, Joseph, Christina and Samantha made the two-hour trek on public transit.
Christina said it was a journey well worth it.
“Everyday life with the struggles he has to go through, and some man took the opportunity to make his dream come true,” Christina said, tearing up.
What would she say to Beeston?
“Thank you from the bottom, bottom of my heart because I don’t think you realize what you’ve done for my son.”
After the Jays crushing defeat Friday, Joseph said outside the Rogers Centre that he’s keeping the dream alive for his team as they head into Game 3.
“I think they’ll win the next game in Texas,” he said.
With a report by CTV Toronto’s Zuraidah Alman
