Marathon victim throws out 1st pitch for White Sox

[June 10, 2013]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A victim of the Boston Marathon bombings has thrown out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game, thanks to an assist from the Oval Office.

Karen Rand of Somerville, Mass., did the honors Saturday before the game against the Oakland Athletics, less than two months after she lost her left leg in the explosions. From a wheelchair about halfway between the mound and the plate she tossed the ball to White Sox pitcher Chris Sale.

It was a moment that President Barack Obama helped set up.

Obama had visited her in the hospital. According to the team, her boyfriend, Kevin McWatters, told him they like going to Chicago. Obama is a White Sox fan, and the White House and Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office helped arrange the trip.

[Associated Press]

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