Paul Thornton attends son’s MLB debut despite spinal surgery complications

Paul Thornton, a track-and-field coach at the University of Kansas, attended his son Zach’s Major League Baseball debut for the New York Mets against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The attendance marks a significant logistical effort, as Paul is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago.

The trip to Washington, D.C., was undertaken despite Paul’s recent medical crisis. According to details provided by The Athletic, Paul underwent spinal surgery in early April to address a tumour that had impaired his mobility. The procedure was complicated by bleeding from the spine, which resulted in a loss of feeling in his lower body.

Following the operation, Paul was transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where he is currently re-learning how to walk. Despite these ongoing physical challenges, Paul and his wife, Julie, left the hospital facility and travelled from O’Hare International Airport to attend the game.

Paul told The Athletic that he would not miss the event “as a dad.” The broadcaster SNY shared video footage of Paul’s journey on social media, documenting his presence at the stadium for Zach’s first appearance on an MLB mound.

Zach Thornton, a pitcher for the New York Mets, has previously credited his competitiveness to his father’s influence. Paul, a former star athlete himself, has been a central figure in his son’s athletic development. The match-up saw Zach pitch against the Washington Nationals in the nation’s capital.