‘A dream come true’: Local family thanks Cardinals icon Ozzie Smith for life-changing delivery

HAZELWOOD, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Jerome “LJ” Chapman is a 5th-grade student at McNair Elementary School who brought his love for baseball to the classroom.

He chose to embody his favorite player for a history project honoring St. Louis Cardinals living legend, Ozzie Smith.

“I felt more confident to go into the school day. More confident to walk around and say my name is Jerome Chapman, and I’m African American,” he says.

The middle schooler’s project was such a knockout of the park his parents posted his assignment on social media.

The status caught the attention of the Hall of Famer and 15-time Allstar, also known as “The Wizard.”

Ozzie “The Wiz” Smith sent the 10-year-old a special gift for his hard work. A box was delivered to Jerome’s house that included a signed baseball card, replica baseball glove, t-shirt and special note from Smith himself.

“He strengthened my son to be bold, to be different, and to stand out,” says dad Jerome Chapman Jr. “The lesson in this is the box is small, but it makes a difference in all of our lives.”

“Who knew a school project would turn into all of this?” says mom Lena Chapman. “Ozzie, you have really blessed us in so many different ways.”

Their son currently plays catcher and hopes to play professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals one day.

“It really was exciting, extraordinary, life-changing,” he says.

“My son being a young Black boy playing baseball is very important to me because he needs to continue the legacy that Ozzie started, Chapman says. “You wore the number one because you are number one.”

The young athlete hopes his story inspires others to exceed expectations.