ST. LOUIS — Standing on the warning track before the first pitch Sunday at Busch Stadium, Beth Larsen wiped away tears from under her sunglasses.
The 29-year-old Springfield mother was sporting a Yadier Molina jersey but she wasn’t there to see the future Hall of Fame catcher. She was there to meet the man who saved her life.
Standing just a few feet away from her was Scott Hopfinger — a Belleville, Illinois, native wearing a Cardinal hat despite being a Cub fan — who was fighting back tears himself.
Ten months earlier Hopfinger saved Larsen’s life by donating his kidney as an altruistic act.