Orphaned Boy With Down Syndrome Breaks Barriers & Throws Pitches At Professional Baseball Games

Jun 29, 2023 by apost team

People with Down syndrome are born with an extra chromosome, and the condition is lifelong and incurable. A person with the syndrome has physical features like almond-shaped eyes, small ears, a short neck, and a flattering face common with the condition. Although people with Down syndrome may have similar physical features, they have different physical and mental challenges. Often, they have to go through behavioral, emotional, physical, and speech therapy to strengthen their weaknesses in these areas.

With the right therapy, many people living with the syndrome have succeeded in their chosen paths. Although their capabilities may be limited, there is nothing people living with Down syndrome cannot do. Several of them have excelled in academia, entertainment, medicine, and sports, among many others. 

Many people with Down syndrome have gone on to participate in sports. Still, Tim Harris, and Chelsea Werner, both Olympic medalists, broke the barriers and excelled in their chosen sporting events. Besides the barrier of systemic stereotypes, a person living with the syndrome only needs to get their diet and physical commitment to their training in check to become a champion. 

Following in the footsteps of Down syndrome sporting greats before him, 11-year-old Cooper Murray from Utah is living up to his potential and breaking barriers in the world of Major League Baseball. Despite the odds stacked against him in his early life, Cooper is living his dream of participating in his preferred sport. In May and June 2023, the lad threw the first pitches at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, respectively. Continue reading to find out how Cooper achieved this feat.

Cooper was born in China. At 6 months old, he was found at the corner of the street and taken to an orphanage home. He lived in the orphanage for four years until he was adopted in 2006 by a family that allowed him to fully express his potential. 

Cooper's dad, Brady Murray, is the founder of RODS Heroes, a nonprofit built around encouraging the adoption of children born into difficult circumstances. In a chat with KSL, Murray revealed that despite Cooper's shortcomings in his speech, the preteen communicates in his own way and has honed his strengths in other areas.

"He loves baseball and is actually really good at it! I've coached him for the last couple of years. He's left-handed, but he throws right-handed. He is just a natural athlete," Murray told KSL.

Seeing his love for the game and entertaining personality, the family figured Cooper was the best candidate to throw out first pitches at every Major League Baseball stadium in the United States. Not only was it a great platform to showcase the rising star, but it was also a great avenue to showcase RODS Heroes' mission. 

"It's a scenario where I just feel strongly that every single child and every one of us has a song we're meant to sing and that we all have divine potential." 

"As a dad, It's pretty special to see Cooper sing the song he's meant to sing," Murray said.

Cooper is truly living his dream and spreading infectious cheer while at it. In May 2023, he was allowed to throw the first pitch at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Cooper replicated the same feat in June 2023 at the iconic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.

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What do you think of Cooper Murray’s interest in baseball? What do you think about his journey from an orphanage to expressing his potential? What do you think of RODS Heroes Initiative? Let us know, and pass this story on to family and friends.