CROW, Ore. (KMTR) –- Last spring, Cody Tripp was playing third base in a Crow High School baseball game. He went for the tag on a close play at third and the base runner slid, injuring Cody’s arm. When he didn’t heal properly, doctors ran additional tests and discovered he had leukemia. Fortunately, they caught it early. Cody spent the last eighteen months in treatment in Portland and Eugene and is now in the maintenance stage, being treated once a month.
Crow’s athletic director nominated Cody for an inspirational award with a group called Friends of Baseball. When the board heard Cody’s story, they said it was a no-brainer: they knew they had found their first winner.
Sunday, Cody was surprised with a pair of cleats from the 2009 Major League Baseball All Star Game. He was speechless.
Cody says he’ll likely wear the cleats next season for his senior year at Crow. His family and friends are inspired by his courage and say they can’t wait to see him back on the field.
