Photo by Chris Drummond: Seven-year-old Bostyn Bailey shakes Tatis Jr.’s hand while dressed up as the Padres’ star outfielder before a baseball game at Target Field on May 10.

Many young kids across the country idolize superstar athletes. Yet, time, distance and other circumstances prevent most children from ever meeting their idol. For seven-year-old Bostyn Bailey, however, he had the opportunity of a lifetime when the stars aligned and he was able to meet San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

The Bailey family was always enamored with baseball. Growing up in the state of Minnesota, Bostyn’s father, Cam Bailey, idolized Twins legend Kirby Puckett. Bostyn took trips every year to Target Field and developed a passion for the game. Prior to Tatis Jr., Bostyn was a huge fan of Twins outfielder Byron Buxton. One play in particular made Bostyn a fan.

“First I searched up highlights on YouTube and then I just saw him reaching up in the air catching the ball,” Bostyn said. “Then I started to watch him every day.”

Later on, Tatis Jr. became Bostyn’s favorite player. Bostyn even dressed up like Tatis Jr for Halloween and went around trick or treating wishing one day he could meet his favorite player. The Bailey family went to Twins Fest, an annual event where fans get to interact with the players and participate in various games and activities around the park. Bostyn’s 14-year-old brother, Trae Bailey, had a big punch wall at the fest. They paid $100 dollars to punch a wall and when Trae punched it, he won four passes to pregame batting practice at any game of the season. Bostyn persuaded his older brother to pick the game where Tatis Jr. was coming to town when the season schedule was released.

The family made a trip of it by attending all three of the games scheduled in the series. On Tuesday evening, Bostyn was able to shag three baseballs in the crowd at batting practice and saw the Padres for the first time live. On Wednesday, he was able to go onto the field to have the meet-up. Bostyn dressed up as Tatis like he did when it was Halloween. When he arrived on the field, Bostyn shouted Tatis Jr.’s name and was able to snag a picture with him.

“I was happy but scared at the same time,” Bostyn said. “Because I never have met him before but he was nice and he gave me a high five.”

Tatis also gave him an autographed ball and an autographed card. Immediately after Bostyn met Tatis Jr., Padres outfielder Juan Soto came over to greet Bostyn.

“It was great meeting Juan Soto, but the only thing is he wouldn’t sign my two Padres cards,” Bostyn Bailey said. “He did sign my Washington Nationals card of him though.”

The Bailey family retreated back to the stands after having some lasting moments on the field with the Padres, but for Bostyn, it was a day he will never forget.

When he grows up he wants to be a baseball player and wants to pattern his game after Tatis Jr. Bostyn isn’t just familiar with Tatis Jr.’s stats and accolades; he also studied his father, Fernando Tatis Sr., the only man to hit two grand slams in one inning in the majors.

“It was a pretty surreal moment with Bostyn getting to meet his favorite player,” Cam Bailey said. It is a moment he won’t soon forget. Big brother Trae was okay with getting to see a Padres and Twins series. Great memories were made at the ballpark. It’s fun to give them opportunities like this as they both love the game of baseball.”

Next on the bucket list for young Bostyn Bailey is to see his favorite player in his home stadium at Petco Park in San Diego.