Youngster fulfills dream of becoming an A’s player

OAKLAND >> Every day since birth, August Wold has suffered through a gastrointestinal disorder.

The 8-year-old’s wish (through the Make-a-wish Foundation) was simply to be an Oakland Athletic for one of those days. The A’s granted him that wish on Saturday, complete with an official release that the A’s added a new player to its roster. Wold’s entire family — his parents, grandparents and siblings — all joined him, decked out in A’s apparel.

For the record, Wold predicted a Matt Chapman home run, and sure enough the A’s third baseman complied with the wish.

Wold, suited up in kelly green A’s threads, sat with closer Liam Hendriks to get his bat all taped up. He then joined his new teammates on the field, where outfielder Ramon Laureano threw him batting practice.

Wold met with A’s general manager David Forst, who brought him up to the press conference podium where he signed his oneday contract.

Some of his favorite players, Joakim Soria, Ryan Buchter, Josh Phegley, Hendriks and Blake Trienen were there to welcome him.

His family said Wold’s favorite players were Khris Davis and Matt Olson, but when posed the question again, Wold listed off Treinen, Phegley and Chapman as his baseball idols.

Wold’s favorite thing to do on the field?

“Hit the ball,” he said. “After the way we’ve been hitting lately, we could use you,” Forst joked.

Wold wasn’t allowed to stay in the dugout, but he did get to make the first hit, rather than throw out the first pitch.

PHOTOS BY RAY CHAVEZ – STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER In lieu of a ceremonial first pitch, August Wold, 8, of Redding, in a full Oakland Athletics uniform, makes the first hit from a pitch by the A’s Jurickson Profar. The A’s and the Make-a-wish foundation made August’s wish of becoming an A’s player come true.

August Wold, 8, stands with the A’s during Saurday’s playing of the the national anthem before the game against the Texas Rangers.