First Kid to Receive Dual Hand Transplant Throws First Pitch at Baltimore Orioles Game
Zion Harvey, 9, wowed the crowed at Oriole Park.
— -- A 9-year-old Maryland boy who made history when he underwent a bilateral hand transplant threw the first pitch at the Baltimore Orioles game Tuesday night.
Zion Harvey, of Owings Mills, threw the pitch to Orioles center fielder Adam Jones before the home team’s game against the Texas Rangers.
It was a moment of triumph for Zion, who developed a serious infection at 2 years old that resulted in the removal of his hands and feet.
Last summer, Zion became the first child in the world to undergo a bilateral hand transplant in a nearly 11-hour procedure at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. A 40-person medical team, including 12 surgeons, attached steel plates and screws to Zion's old and new bones. Surgeons then painstakingly reconnected Zion's arteries, veins, muscles, tendons and nerves.
Zion wore an Orioles jersey and hat Tuesday night at Oriole Park and gave a wave to the crowd before throwing the ball over home plate.
He also brought the team good luck as the Orioles went on to defeat the Rangers 5-1.