After The Hammer came close to being the pilot, he was happy just to be an All-Star.
Aidan “The Hammer” Quinn, a member of the Miracle League of Mercer County based in Hamilton Township, was this year’s local representative to be recognized at the 2021 Miracle League National All-Star Weekend in Houston Nov. 5-7.
The 17-year-old’s name was pulled from a hat, which is how the league has done it ever since the event started. By luck of the draw, a very deserving player was chosen. Quinn, who has cerebral palsy, was the Special Olympics Athlete of the Year for Area 11 in 2016, and his star has only grown brighter since then.
“The really nice thing about Aidan is he encapsulates what it means to be a Miracle League athlete,” said Dan Sczweck, executive director of Hamilton’s Miracle League. “One day, while standing at third base, unbeknownst to anybody at the game, he threw down his walker and unassisted walked from third base to home plate to score a run. The whole place went nuts, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“Since then, he’s a kid you can’t throw a roadblock on. He runs cross country, he wrestles, he’s been an umpire. He hasn’t let his condition limit him from doing things.”
Nicknamed “The Hammer” by legendary Miracle League announcer Andy “The Voice” Santoro, Quinn was accompanied by his parents, Denise and Andy, along with Sczweck and staff members Santoro, Jasmine Harris, Taylor Roberts, Lindsey Roberts, Amanda Bendorf and Jenn McVicker.
“The trip was obviously one of the highlights of his life,” said Aidan’s mom, Denise Quinn. “The impact it had on him was so clear. Even days after the trip was over, he could not stop talking about it.
The fun started on the plane ride to Texas, when the pilot allowed Quinn to sit up in the cockpit and also made an announcement recognizing him to all the passengers.
“That was really cool!” Aidan exclaimed. “I was ready to give the pilot directions to Houston.”
When they arrived, Houston rolled out the red carpet at an event that was started in 2018 to provide exposure for the Miracle League’s good work on a national level. The first two were in Findlay, Ohio and Sioux City, Iowa. It skipped last year due to Covid, and was staged for the first time in a city with an MLB franchise.
And although the Quinns are Yankee fans who won’t soon forgive the Astros for 2017, Denise could not help but give the city and organization well earned props.
“We loved Houston and think the Astros organization helped to provide a wonderful experience for the kids of Miracle League,” she said. “The entire experience was perfect. As parents, it was moving to see the outpouring of support that the Miracle League showed their athletes.
“The treatment Aidan received in Houston made him feel so special. That included all the cheers from the fans, the souvenirs he was given, and the great food he ate.”
With everything paid for by the hosting Miracle League except for the flight (which was funded by Mercer’s chapter), the 112 honorees arrived on Friday to a greeting party at their hotel. They received a swag bag and uniform, and were then taken out for a Texas steak lunch. From there it was off to Minute Maid Park where they received a tour of the stadium.
Saturday morning, a police escort ushered the players on their 30-minute ride to the Lake Houston Family YMCA, where Aidan played in a game and participated in a home run derby.
“They were blocking off roads, blocking ramps at the highway,” Sczweck said. “It was unbelievable.”
A formal dinner that night wrapped things up, as each player received their official Miracle League All-Star Weekend patch.
“He pretty much had a smile on his face for the entire weekend,” Sczweck said.
“Playing in the baseball game was my favorite part,” Aidan said. “I also loved going to the stadium, and being with some of my favorite people for the whole weekend.”
Denise felt the trip was one of the highlights of Aidan’s life.
“The impact it had on him was so clear,” she said. “Even days after the trip was over, he could not stop talking about it.”
It was yet another in a long line of pleasant memories provided by those who run Miracle League, and Sczweck’s organization continues to be a shining example of how to do things right.
“Andy and I were so impressed with Dan Sczweck and his staff from the Miracle League of Hamilton,” Denise said. “Together, they made the trip memorable for our entire family. Their energy was infectious. We are so thankful for the experience they gave to Aidan. This is a remarkable group of people.”
And they provided a great weekend for a remarkable young man, who went from nearly being a pilot to thinking he was Brad Pitt.
“I felt like I was a movie star,” Aidan said. “Everyone was so nice and gave me one of the best experiences of my life. I’ll never forget this trip!”
Miracle League of Mercer County 2021 national all-star representative Aidan Quinn at Houston’s Minute Maid Park for the Miracle League National All-Star Weekend, held Nov. 5 to 7, 2021.,
