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A heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of tragic, young baseball fan meeting his heroes

Matthew Miller received second and third degree burns while trying to save his brother from a fire in their Queens home.

THE NEW YORK Mets invited a brave, young teenager from East Elmhurst, Queens, to spend Monday with the club and meet his baseball heroes.

Matthew Miller’s life was thrown into turmoil on 1 January when a blaze consumed his family’s house. Miller, then aged 12, survived the fire but his seven-year-old brother Christopher was not so fortunate. Miller received second a third degree burns to 62% of his body while attempting, unsuccessfully, to rescue his brother from the blaze.

Now 13, Miller has spent four months receiving treatments in various New York hospitals. On Monday, as the Mets hosted the St Louis Cardinals, Miller — an avid baseball fan, much like his younger brother — was the guest of honour at the MLB club. He got to meet many of his baseball heroes, including third baseman David Wright, and throw out the first pitch.

MLB / YouTube

According to Frank Miller, Matthew’s father, the teenager will be officially released from hospital on Thursday. He is beginning to run, and throw baseballs, again in the hope of returning to the sport that gives him much joy and solace.

The Mets, meanwhile, defeated the Cardinals 2-0.

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