Published: October 29, 2007 10:22 pm            

GASKINS: Red Sox give Metz a boost

Northwestern High School senior Eric Metz became a Boston Red Sox fan at a young age. He attended a game in Fenway Park and quickly fell in love with the team and the atmosphere inside the stadium.

Thus, Metz had a smile on his face Sunday night as the Red Sox completed a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the World Series. Jon Lester pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning to lead the Red Sox to a 4-3 win.

Metz took that as a promising sign. Lester underwent chemotherapy for lymphatic cancer at this time last year — a situation Metz now finds himself in.

“It really was [a boost],” Metz said. “I had no idea Lester had cancer at one time, but to be honest, it was really comforting to know I’m not helpless. It gave me some more hope that I can get my life back to normal fairly quickly.”

Metz, like Lester, is a left-handed pitcher. Metz had a 5-0 record, one save and a sparkling 1.83 ERA in his junior season. He helped Northwestern win a school-record 28 games and win Class 2A sectional and regional championships.

Metz plans to dominate the opposition when he takes the mound. He is taking the same mindset into his medical battle, which began four weeks ago and continues with weekly treatments.

“I have found that in this situation, attitude is going to be everything,” he said. “I want to stay positive and stay strong. If anything, I’m doing it for everyone else because I want to be an inspiration to people. I want to show this doesn’t have to control your life, there is more out there. I am just not going to let my life change permanently because of some sickness.”

Metz entered Riley Hospital for Children on Oct. 2. He was in bad shape, but Riley’s doctors and nurses showed once again why they are among the best in the world. He progressed enough to return home less than two weeks later.

Metz is in the first phase of his treatment. He receives an IV drip and a spinal tap each Friday.

“The weekends are pretty rough — a lot of nausea and tiredness. Each day of the week gets a little bit better until they do it again,” he said.

Metz is thankful for the support he has received over the last four weeks which included a prayer vigil outside of his home while he was in the hospital. In the hospital and now at home, his family and friends surround him with love and support.

“I knew I had good friends and the best family ever, but it’s been so humbling. I didn’t have a clue how supportive Kokomo and the Northwestern community really could be for me. It’s just been amazing,” he said.

“I’ve received hundreds of cards in the mail and I’ve had people telling me they are praying for me. It helps me so much to know that so many people are out there who care for me and are going to help me with this.”

Now that the Red Sox have taken care of business, Metz is looking for the Northwestern football team to follow suit when it plays Elwood in the Class 2A Sectional 28 championship Friday night. Metz ranked third on the team in receptions before his season came to an end following Week 7.

The Tigers are 6-1 following a slow start, and they are in a sectional final for the first time since 1999.

“We worked so hard for this and it’s just awesome to see it finally paying off,” Metz said. “Our new coach [John Hendryx] believed in us from the beginning. We had to change everything two weeks before the season started and it’s finally clicking now. It’s amazing to see how we’ve pulled together here at the end. I just wish I could be on the field with them.”

Bryan Gaskins is a Tribune sportswriter. He may be reached at bryan.gaskins@kokomotribune.com or (765) 454-8567.

        

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