Dave Dravecky Visits 10-Year-Old Who Also Lost Arm To Cancer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Ten-year-old Jacob McAnally of Corinth, Miss., got to meet his second-favorite major-league baseball player at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The No. 1 status of St. Louis Cardinal shortstop Ozzie Smith may be in jeopardy.

Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky surprised Jacob with a 15-minute visit Thursday to offer encouragement about a predicament that has dealt both of them a curve: functioning without the use of an arm - Dravecky's left and Jacob's right - because of cancer. Jacob has a rare form of cancer called synovial sarcoma.

Dravecky, 35, a former National League All-Star, had his pitching arm and shoulder amputated in June, two weeks after Jacob had a similar operation on his right arm and shoulder. Thursday's meeting was arranged in connection with a local conference at which Dravecky appeared.

Jacob's mother, Angie McAnally, said her son was in a daze when Dravecky walked into the room.

"He saw him walk in, his mouth opened, and he couldn't take his eyes off him," she said. "It was an answer to a prayer."

It also was in response to a letter.

After Dravecky's operation, Jacob sent him a letter offering the major leaguer as much encouragement as insight. He told Dravecky about the phantom pain he would experience with the loss of his arm and wished him well. Dravecky responded with a letter of thanks and an autographed picture.

Dravecky sprinted into Jacob's room ahead of a camera crew filming the meeting for NBC's "A Closer Look," and brought his faith, his sense of humor and a San Francisco Giants baseball cap, which he placed on Jacob's head.

Dravecky said meeting Jacob was uplifting.

"I think one of the things that is so important is when kids like Jacob go through what he went through . . . it really makes me appreciate the amount of time God allowed me to have my left arm," Dravecky said, "and the fact I was able to do the things I could do as a major-league baseball player.

"And, on the other hand, it has been an encouragement for me to see the courage kids like Jacob have to deal with this adversity at such an early age and the strength that they have."

McAnally said her son was inspired to send Dravecky a letter after Jacob received a letter of encouragement from California Angels pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born without his right hand.

"Jacob received a letter, probably the week before his surgery, from Jim Abbott," McAnally said. "He knew Jim had helped him, so he wanted to help Dave Dravecky."

Jacob, a fifth-grade student, was in Memphis for a checkup Thursday because he had been experiencing pain. "But we just got a good report and everything is fine," McAnally said.

Dravecky helped Jacob's outlook and may have changed his mind regarding his favorite baseball player.

"After today it's close," Jacob said.