Eloy hosts boy fighting cancer at game

CHICAGO -- It might be difficult to imagine, but there was a time not too long ago when White Sox left fielder Eloy Jiménez was frustrated and depressed.

That period came at the start of the 2021 season, after Jiménez had surgery to repair a torn left pectoral tendon suffered while chasing a home run at Camelback Ranch during the last week of Spring Training. It’s a difficult scenario to imagine, because Jiménez is normally one of the most upbeat individuals in the universe, let alone in the White Sox clubhouse.

But that attitude changed, according to Jiménez, when White Sox interpreter and Spanish Communications Manager Billy Russo came to him with a story about Brady Nelson. After dealing with severe headaches last December, a tumor was discovered on the 12-year-old’s brain. He underwent surgery at Lutheran General Hospital, where post-surgical analysis determined the tumor is a glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive form of cancer that is rare in children.

Jiménez taped a message of support for Brady on April 10, telling Brady in the message his first home run upon return would be dedicated to him. Jiménez followed through with that promise when he connected for a game-winner on July 27 in Kanas City, giving Brady a postgame shout-out.

“I was very surprised,” said Brady during a recent interview concerning Jiménez’s gesture. “I didn’t think he would do something like that. It made me feel special.”

This special feeling wasn’t solely reserved for Brady. Jiménez’s frustration was quickly replaced by a strong desire to return sooner than later from his injury, inspired by this young man from the Northwest side of Chicago.

“I’m just trying to get back to playing, but he’s battling for his life,” Jiménez told MLB.com Tuesday. “That’s the way he helped me.”

After missing 99 days of the 2021 season with the American League Central leaders, Jiménez returned on July 26. He entered Tuesday’s contest with a .328/.344/.689 slash line, to go with six home runs and 20 RBIs in just 16 games.

Needless to say, a very physically fit Jiménez has not missed a step offensively. His cheerful demeanor hasn’t changed, either. Jiménez frequently opens or closes his interviews with “Hi, Mom,” and has started interacting with the Guaranteed Rate Field fans in the outfield by getting them to cheer whenever he raises his arms and stop whenever he puts them down.

There also has been an introduction for Jiménez with the boisterous support system in left field.

“Oh, my god. They have been crazy,” said a smiling Jiménez of his cheering section. “And I like it. I’m here playing the game that I love. If I’m here playing the game that I love, why should I be mad? My family is good. So why should I be mad?”

The Nelson family was in attendance for Tuesday’s contest against Oakland, getting autographs and taking pictures during batting practice. Their group included Brady; his mom, Christina; his dad, Eric; his brother, Jack; his uncle, Bob; and his cousin, Cassidy.

Of course, there was a meeting between Jiménez and Brady, with Jiménez giving the young man a big hug, signing a bat and then posing for photos. With Jiménez promising a dedication to Brady on his first home run back, was he planning on crushing a pair with the young man in attendance this time?

“Maybe. Maybe, yeah,” said Jiménez, thinking of the possibilities. “I will try to do my best.”

Brady plays second base and the outfield and calls himself a “decent” baseball player. He plays other sports with friends, and when asked how he was feeling, Brady responded, “I feel perfectly normal.”

A special video and memory of a promise made after his first home run forged this special bond between Jiménez and Brady. When he first connected in Kansas City, Jiménez admitted to initially thinking about his grandfather, Martin, who died of cancer on Aug. 9, 2017. He was a man who predicted big things for Jiménez’s career and is why he wears red batting gloves to this day.

Jiménez also quickly thought about Brady.

“It’s the first time I saw him, and it was great,” Jiménez said of Tuesday’s meeting. “His energy, it’s all positive after all he had been through. I know I can change lives. It’s good to have that experience, because it helped me too.”