MLB All-Star weekend: Make-A-Wish recipients get special experience

MLB All-Star Game: Make-a-Wish gives baseball fans with illnesses a special treat

The MLB All-Star game isn't until Tuesday, but the festivities at Truist Park are going on all weekend. Sunday, young baseball fans with illnesses were given a special chance to shop MLB merchandise, and it ended with a special surprise.

SMYRNA, Ga. - Five kids with critical illnesses are getting the red-carpet rolled out for them at the MLB All-Star Game.

What we know:

The premier access is part of a wish through Make-A-Wish, and it started Sunday with a major surprise.

The kids, including two Braves fans, were surprised by baseball-greats and Hall-of-Famers Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones. The pair signed baseballs and posed for pictures with the wish recipients and their families.

Fanatics, the official sports partner of Make-A-Wish and MLB All-Star Game, helped this wish come true. In addition to access to premiere events and the surprise from the baseball legends, each child received $250 from Fanatics to shop for exclusive MLB All-Star Game merchandise. 

What they're saying:

"To be able to enhance this special weekend for these young people that love baseball love sports and for fanatics to add its magic power … It’s an amazing feeling. We’re proud to be able to do it," said Orlando Ashford, strategic advisor for Fanatics and director of Make-A-Wish America.

"It's heartbreaking, but to see the looks on these kids' faces, how they light up when we walk around the corner, it warms your heart," said Chipper Jones. "Any chance we can get to make life a little better, we're going to take the opportunity to do it."

"I mean it was amazing and they were so nice. I wasn’t expecting it to be honest," said Trip Mullis who has congenital heart disease.

What's next:

Families will have access to all the events, including the MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, batting practice, celebrity meet-and-greets, and the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday.