MIAMI -- Although fans came to see their heroes of baseball's past such as Bill Lee, Charles Johnson and Brooks Robinson, those legends got a chance to play with a modern-day hero.
Miramar's Alberto Rojas, 15, is a cancer survivor, and on Saturday afternoon he became the first Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital patient to play in the Joe DiMaggio Legends Game at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
"It's a honor to play with them, and I was glad to get the chance," said Rojas, a freshman at West Broward High School. "I was not really playing for myself. I was playing for the kids -- all the kids at the hospital, all the kids I've met and the ones I've lost during the process of my treatment.
"This is very special, and it's a day I will enjoy for the rest of my life."
Prospects of a long life for Rojas were dim in 2008. Then 13, he was diagnosed with a rare form of Ewing Sarcoma, a soft bone tissue cancer which spread aggressively from his tailbone to his lungs.
He initially thought it was a football-related injury and played through some back pain when he was a member of the West Pines Wildcats 135-pound team.
When Rojas and his parents, Ralph and Mery, went to doctors, they received the heart-wrenching news. They gave him a 10 percent chance of survival.
"I believe everything happens for a reason," Rojas said in a release. "I was diagnosed with cancer so I could help people and inspire people. I am going to volunteer at the (Joe DiMaggio Children's) hospital that saved my life, and I'm going to talk to little kids with cancer and make sure they don't lose hope."
Since the end of his treatment in 2009, Rojas, a freshman, has been playing baseball at Pembroke Shores Park. On Saturday, he helped the National League defeat the American League 8-0 in the 23rd Legends game.
Spectators applauded as Rojas pinch-ran for Ron Swoboda (Amazing Mets), who singled.
Rojas went from first to third on a base hit by Alex Arias (Marlins) and scored on (Marlins) Bruce Aven's RBI single.
Swoboda was glad to have Rojas pinch run for him.
"That stuff makes you feel good, when you find out what the deal is about," Swoboda said. "I'm betting there are hundreds of other stories of kids who have had the benefits of the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital but cannot come out here and play baseball."
Swoboda, like so many others who have competed in this game for many years, continues to help raising funds for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood.
Former Baltimore Oriole Brooks Robinson said: "To see a young guy, 15 years old, who's beaten cancer, come out here and play, it's amazing."
Robinson, the legendary Orioles third baseman and Hall of Famer, said he wanted to meet Rojas. He also spent a lot of time signing autographs for fans.
Joe Reilly, the administrator of external affairs at the hospital, helped organize the assortment of former major-leaguers, including Robinson in the fun-filled, six-inning contest.
"This is the fifth time we've gone to this game," longtime Marlins fan Candy Layman said. "It's neat to see all the legends and what they brought to baseball."
In the game, Aven went 3 for 3 with a triple, three runs and an RBI. Shortstop Bert Campy Campaneris (A's) and Arias each started 6-3 double plays. Right fielder Steve Whitaker (Yankees) robbed Warren Cromartie (Expos) of extra bases, and Ricky Bones (Marlins) had a two-run single.
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