CINCINNATI – As the Reds were in the midst of a pivotal season, Jake Fraley had to leave the field to return to his oldest self – his young daughter, Avery. In January 2024, she began to show signs of fatigue and difficulty walking. After multiple tests, doctors confirmed that she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia – a serious disease that required long-term treatment with chemotherapy.
“It all started with a limp and back pain… then she stopped walking. It was very difficult. It’s something you can’t imagine,” his wife, Angelica Fraley, said emotionally.
Although he continued to play for the Reds, Jake always left his heart at the hospital. He called home an average of three to four times a day, updating his daughter on her condition. Every time he took the field, it wasn’t just a hit – it was a promise to Avery: “Daddy’s fighting for you.”
The stories and images of the Fraley family – little Avery smiling next to her mother, the family praying in front of the Reds’ game on TV – touched the hearts of the entire MLB community. Jake and Angelica started a fund to support pediatric cancer treatment, receiving thousands of donations from Reds fans and colleagues.
During chemotherapy, Avery beat the disease to smile again, leading Jake to share:
“Purpose is the one word we’ve held onto: fighting for her life gives us faith.”
As the Reds continued their season, Jake wore gloves with Avery’s name on them, as a reminder: every pitch, every run was for his son.
The Fraley family’s story is not only a testament to the spirit of an athlete who never gives up, but also a lesson in resilience, and the love of a father for his child. In the moment between the spotlight and the darkness of illness, Jake Fraley still chose companionship – for a child who could not fight alone.