Boy’s Sweet Swing Bowls ‘Em Over Grandma’s Assist, Sacrifice Also Key
Thanks to the discerning eye of an Odessa grandmother, 8-year-old Brady Miletich is heading to Philadelphia, where he’ll eat Honey Frosted Wheaties with Ken Griffey Jr. and attend baseball’s All-Star Game.
Miletich, who lives in Vancouver, Wash., was among five winners of the national “Ken Griffey Jr. Honey Frosted Wheaties Sweetest Swing in Baseball Contest.” The contest asked kids to send in a video or photo of themselves swinging a bat, with winners selected by hitting coaches.
Miletich, a devoted follower of Griffey and the Seattle Mariners, sent in a video and was ultimately selected - but not without an assist from Grandma. Odessa’s Alice Merz tipped off her grandson to the contest after reading about it in a June 19 article that ran in the food section of The Spokesman-Review.
“She reads the paper cover to cover,” said Robert Merz, the boy’s grandfather. “She read the article and said if there’s anybody that’s a competitor, this little grandson would be. He stands in front of the TV and when they swing the bat, he imitates. He can go through all the motions of the umpire, too, so Grandma thought he’s a natural to be a contestant.”
Alice Merz made the trip to Vancouver on Friday. She’ll spend the next several days babysitting Brady’s two siblings so the boy and his parents can go to Philadelphia.
Miletich, fresh out of first grade, was shocked when the people at General Mills called with the good news.
“I jumped around,” he said. “I called my dad (at work) and my grandma and lots of people.”
After an evening in Philadelphia - he and his parents, Dave and Jane, arrive this afternoon - the three will head to New York for Sunday’s game between the Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers.
Monday begins with a press conference, at which Griffey and the four winners will autograph a cereal box and eat the Breakfast of Champions. Baseball’s home run contest is later in the day.
Brady also received tickets to Tuesday’s All-Star Game, plus air fare and hotel accommodations for two.
“I’m amazed at the whole thing,” Robert Merz said.
, DataTimes