CLEVELAND, Ohio (WTVG) – It was a grand slam that brought the Cleveland Guardians one step closer to a World Series and that moment in the deciding game five of the American League Division Series has a connection to Northwest Ohio.

Matt Coleman is the baseball coach at Calvert Catholic High School and he attended game five of the ALDS between the Guardians and the Tigers. He also caught Lane Thomas’ grand slam ball that gave Cleveland a 5-1 lead.

Coleman comes from a family of Guardians fans. After catching the home run ball, Coleman celebrated with the crowd before giving the ball to his cousin Patrick Steyer, who has battled leukemia for the past two years. It’s a moment both said they will never forget.

“When the ball was in the air, it seemed like it stayed there forever. It was just an honor to bring Patrick to the game,” said Coleman.

Coleman’s father took him to a World Series game in 2016 and they caught a Jason Kipnis solo shot in the same spot. His father died a year later. Now, Coleman believes it’s a sign to go to the game with Steyer and have a similar experience.

“I think Patrick and my dad embody a lot of what’s good in this world and just being a positive person, overcoming struggles and it was just great to be there with him,” Coleman said.

Steyer was diagnosed with leukemia less than two years ago and has since achieved remission. Coleman is inspired by his cousin’s fight and the two share a close bond.

Coleman promised that when Steyer beat Leukemia, he would take him to a match.

“There was just a lot of emotion when I saw him go there, smiles, yeah, he was the lead cheerleader up until that point. I felt like I was sitting there in the section giving everyone a high five. He kept me positive in life overall, but that day we are behind one against nothing. And he still said, ‘We’re going, we’re going to win. It’s okay, man, it’s okay, so it was just cool to see that positivity,” Coleman said.

Since this is the second time the family has hit a postseason home run, they want to make it to one of the upcoming playoff games and bring the same luck against the Yankees.

‘We hope so, we are trying to figure out how the week will go. Obviously, family is an important part of my life. We’re going to look at things and move them around. Obviously I think Patrick is the good luck charm, so we have to try to find a way to get him back there,” Coleman said.

Game one of the ALCS between the Yankees and Guardians starts on October 14th.

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