Inspirational 10-year-old signs one-day contract with Yankees
Batting practice was extra special at New York Yankees camp in Tampa on Monday. Players crowded around the cage to get a glimpse of the team’s newest signing and they came away impressed and inspired as they watched Landis Sims take his cuts.
Who is Landis Sims? He’s a 10-year-old boy from Elizabeth, Ind., who was born without hands and legs from the knee down, but he sure doesn’t let his physical impairment get in the way of his love of baseball.
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Sims signed a one-day contract with the Yankees and enjoyed all the perks of being a major-league player at spring training. After officially putting pen to paper on his deal – with CC Sabathia acting as his agent –Sims hit the field wearing his pinstripes and showed he belonged.
Using special equipment to hit and play in the field, Sims is able to play in his local Little League as a second baseman and occasional pitcher. Like a regular player, he joined the Yankees in their pregame warmup and took batting practice in a group with Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira. Sims relaxed with his teammates in the clubhouse and also delivered the Yankees’ lineup card to the umpires before their game against the Astros.
Sims first visited Yankees camp In 2014 and met his idol Derek Jeter. When the organization heard Sims was interested in making another trip to the complex, they were thrilled to have him back. Manager Joe Girardi was one of the people who came up with the idea for the honorary contract. From MLB.com:
“He was outstanding, just a special kid,” Girardi said of Sims. “He’s overcome extraordinary obstacles to be the kid he came to be. That’s special for all of us.
“I was very proud how all the players responded to him. That was great to see. … That’s a lesson for all of us.”
It sounds like it was a terrific day for all involved, but soon it came time for Sims to return home. Fourth grade beckons, and it won’t be long before his Little League season gets underway.
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Israel Fehr is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr
