Yohel Pozo hits home run for his son, Paul
The St. Louis Cardinals didn’t come away with the win against the Yankees on Players Weekend, but catcher Yohel Pozo delivered one of the most unforgettable, heartwarming moments of the entire MLB season. A home run for his son and the kids at Mercy Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
In Sunday’s series finale, Pozo stepped to the plate with a bat that wasn’t just another piece of maple wood — it was a tribute. His bat carried the handprints of his son, Paul Pozo, who has bravely battled through a series of strokes since birth, as well as the handprints of children from Mercy Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. And when Pozo crushed a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, it wasn’t just about giving the Cardinals a 4-3 lead — it was about keeping a promise.
How do you say no to the kids?
“The kids asked me if I could hit a homer,” Pozo said after the game. “I told them I’d try. And when it happened, I almost started crying running the bases just thinking about it.”
This is from a guy that went from homeless to the majors.
MLB.com’s John Denton shared the backstory: Paul Pozo defied expectations early in life, walking and talking long before doctors thought possible. Thus, to honor his fight — and that of other children at the hospital — Pozo’s custom bat was painted with their handprints. When that ball sailed over the wall at Busch Stadium, it was more than a stat in the box score. It was a symbol of resilience, family, and love.
Pozo’s shot marked his fifth homer of the season, but his first since July 12. And while the Cardinals couldn’t hold on for the win, the emotional weight of that swing will last far longer than any single game.
Yohel Pozo home run bat will be auctioned off for charity
On top of that, YOU could own the bat he hit the home run. Plus, every nickel will go to a good cause. Pozo plans to auction off the bat, with all proceeds benefiting Mercy Children’s Hospital. The funds from the winning bid can ensure that the moment lives on for the kids who inspired him.
Players Weekend is designed to highlight the personalities and passions of MLB stars, but Pozo took it to another level. His home run wasn’t just a highlight — it was straight from the heart. It was also a reminder of what sports are really about.
