Pirates Star Surprises 10-Year-Old Cancer Survivor at Game

When Penelope Byler stood in the Pirates dugout during batting practice, she had no idea her favorite player was about to make her night unforgettable.

Bryan Reynolds walked up to the 10-year-old from Salesville, Ohio with a simple question: would she throw out the first pitch? The ear-to-ear smile said it all.

Penelope has earned every moment of joy. Diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma at just 2 years old, she endured nearly two years of relentless treatment. 42 consecutive weeks of chemotherapy, 24 more weeks of maintenance chemo, six weeks of radiation, five blood transfusions, four surgeries, and 48 medical sedations.

On November 22, 2019, she rang the cancer-free bell. She's been in remission ever since, and through it all, she never stopped being a Pirates fan.

The team transformed Friday night into something magical for the Byler family. They set up a private locker room filled with gifts including a custom Reynolds jersey, bobbleheads, and City Connect gear. Reynolds personally signed a bat for Penelope, which she said was her favorite moment.

But the surprises kept coming. Penelope and her 3-year-old sister Portlyn got to yell "Play Ball!" Her older brother Timothy delivered the lineup card. The whole family held the finish line for the Pierogy Race, and owner Bob Nutting hosted them in the Home Plate Club.

Sunny's Take

Penelope's story shows what courage looks like in its purest form. Her mom Kylie says she smiled and giggled through nearly two years of treatment, showing resilience that inspired everyone around her.

Now she's thriving. She made the All-Star team last season playing second base and shortstop for her softball team, who joined her at the game as another surprise.

The evening happened through Lending Hearts, a local nonprofit supporting children and families living with cancer. Bryan and his wife Blair have partnered with the organization before, understanding how much these moments matter.

"She's been through a lot in her life," Reynolds said after meeting the initially shy but soon beaming Penelope. "To give her a special day really means a lot."

For a kid who fought so hard so young, watching her favorite team with family and friends wasn't just a night at the ballpark—it was a celebration of everything she overcame.