Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher Andrew McInvale creates unforgettable moment for disabled boy

When they met for the first time, eight-year-old Gunnar Chester inspired his new friend, Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher Andrew McInvale, with message on life.

“Never give up.”

Gunnar has lived those words his entire young life.

He is a double-leg amputee. Already, 18 surgeries have been endured and he needs a wheelchair to move.

But after recovering from the last one at HCA Florida West Hospital, which involved one of his hands, the nurses provided Gunnar with a Blue Wahoos jersey to decorate in his favorite colors and design.

That jersey was No. 23, the one worn by McInvale.

“I was so touched,” McInvale said. “What a kid, he’s a warrior, a fighter.”

The jersey coloring was part of the Blue Wahoos’ first-time promotion August 13 on D.I.Y. Night (Do It Yourself) where children and adults had a chance to customize jerseys to be worn that game by players.

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When receiving a social media message from Gunnar’s mother, Rachel, showing off Gunnar’s design and the possibility of one day meeting his favorite Blue Wahoos player, McInvale immediately responded.

“When he colored Andrew’s jersey, I reached out to him on social media, because I wanted to share the back story about the jersey he was going to wear,” Rachel Chester said. “Andrew was his favorite player.

“He wrote back saying he was very touched by that and how awesome it was that we shared the pictures.”

McInvale then arranged for the entire family to attend the Blue Wahoos game last Saturday. He brought Gunnar to the field and clubhouse to meet players. Shortly before the game, McInvale then went to the Blue Wahoos team store, the Bait and Tackle shop, and bought everything possible that Gunnar might like, including a jersey to make the day even greater.

“I jumped at the opportunity to meet him,” McInvale said. “Because it’s why we do this. It’s bigger than baseball. It was special for me to be able to see  him. I’m amazed by him.”

When the box of gifts was brought to the Hancock-Whitney Club where the Chester family watched the game, emotions flowed.

It was Gunnar’s first baseball game.

“Gunnar had no idea he was going to meet Andrew or all these players,” Rachel Chester said. “Oh my gosh, it’s amazing. They are such wonderful guys, so nice to us.

“This has meant so much to (Gunnar). It’s things like this that make him so happy,” she said.

The Blue Wahoos won that game 10-2 against the Birmingham Barons. Immediately after the game, Gunnar helped with the countdown to the fireworks show. He helped pull down the imaginary trigger to start the show.

In a poignant scene, McInvale came out of the dugout, sat behind home plate with Gunnar and his family, watched the fireworks show and visited with the family for a few moments afterward.

“His mother had messaged me before the game, saying they were going to head home early, but I’m really glad they stayed,” McInvale said. “Because that was really the most time I got to spend with him and they continued thank me a lot, which was nice, but that wasn’t why I did it. I just wanted to see a smile on Gunnar’s face. “

The Chester family, which includes older brother Mathew, recently moved to Spanish Fort, Alabama, from Jacksonville. Gunnar’s father, Steve, is member of the U.S. Coast Guard. Soon after they arrived, the surgical procedure was required on Gunnar’s hand.

“We definitely didn’t expect to move here and have to go into the hospital, but it happened,” Rachel Chester said. “They took amazing care of us and have now become our family. (Gunnar) did really well through it all.”

Lauren Scott, the Blue Wahoos new merchandise and community relations manager, was involved in the D.I.Y. Night jersey promotion, along with all other elements of the initiative. She helped with the game visit as well.

“It is so touching,” Scott said. “This is my favorite thing that I have been a part of it since joining the team this year.”

McInvale said the experience has been further reinforcement of perspective in life.

“I’ve had a tough year so far on the field,” he said. “And so when I heard his message, ‘Never give up,’ it was the perfect timing for myself. I don’t have it that bad. I see what Gunnar has gone through and how he’s such a warrior about it. That is special.

“It’s like I told my parents when talking about this… in high school or college ball, you really can’t do this stuff for people. But now you have a platform to do it. And it means so much.”

Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at bvilona@bluewahoos.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Blue Wahoos' McInvale creates special moment for disabled boy