The Pittsburgh Pirates may have won their third straight Friday night when they beat the Brewers 7-3, but the real victory came earlier in the day when they signed 10-year-old Aaron “A-Hay” Ashby to a one-day contract.

Aaron, a boy from Maryland who has been fighting leukemia, told the Make-A-Wish Foundation that his dream day would include meeting his favorite Pirates player, infielder Josh Harrison.

So, the foundation and the team made it happen, and then some.

Aaron’s big day at PNC Park was highlighted when he signed a contract in front of players, team staff and members of the media. And, just like all other MLB pros, he was the star of the press conference following his signing.

 

 

“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to experience this day with Aaron and his family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a press release. “Aaron is an inspiration to us and we are excited for the intangibles he will bring to the club.”

Aaron was given a tour of the stadium before being escorted to his own locker in the Pirate’s clubhouse. He took batting practice with his new teammates three hours before the game. But, one of his most memorable experiences from the day was hanging out with Josh Harrison. The two even chowed down on lunch together.

 

 

“We’re more than baseball players. Baseball doesn’t define us,” Harrison told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We’re people, we’re human beings, but if what we do can bring light to somebody’s day, I’m a firm believer in using anything that we can to lighten up peoples’ day.”

 

 

Aaron and his family took in the Pirates’ win from a luxury suite, courtesy of Pirates Charities. And, to round out the wish, Nutting invited Aaron and his family to be guests for a two-night stay at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

It may have just been another regular season game for the Pirates, but for this 10-year-old, it was a day he’ll talk about for his entire life.