CLEVELAND — The last time we saw 18-year-old Robbie Boyce, he was getting his stride back on the ball field, throwing out the first pitch at the Guardians game in August 2022 and talking shop with yean stars Josh Naylor and Triston McKenzie.
Just looking at him, you'd never know that in September of 2020, a rare stroke almost stole his life and baseball dreams.
"He had an aneurysm that had broken and caused bleeding around the brain, which is dangerous in of itself," Cleveland Clinic Cerebral Vascular Center Director Dr. Shazam Hussain, who helped treat Robbie, said. "The specific type of aneurysm that he had was something called dissecting pseudoaneurysm, which basically is a tear in the blood vessel.
"So, all aneurysms, you know, we worry about aneurysms in general, but most aneurysms are actually thicker in their wall. When you have an aneurysm like his, it's actually a tear through, so it's almost like tissue paper, and that makes it very, very risky to break again,"
Surviving that kind of trauma as a teen has changed Robbie's perspective on what really matters.
"I just feel like I appreciate everything so much more now," he told us, "like those little times in the day when I'm not doing anything or just hanging out with my family instead of thinking about what I could be doing, or anything like that. I'm just really grateful for the opportunity that I have to be here with people and enjoy my life."
After a few years of hard work and perseverance, the Saint Ignatius senior is seeing the results pay off. He's back on the field playing varsity baseball, and his comeback has both shocked and inspired coach Brad Ganor.
"I'll look at him and just go, 'That kid had a stroke like just a couple years ago,' and it's amazing," Ganor said. "It's amazing to watch him, you know, go through what he has, and he's never wavered in his effort. He's an example for the whole program, I think, for years to come."
He's inspiring off the field, too — Robbie says he knows what his purpose is now. Come fall, he'll be headed to Case Western Reserve University to become a doctor.
"I'm really excited about that," he said, "because I'll be able to study medicine and get ready to go to medical school to try to help other people who are in terrible situations like I was in."
Before he goes on to be a hero, Ganor says Robbie has some unfinished business on the field.
"I hope he's at the plate and has the opportunity to get a big hit in a big game," Ganor stated.
Robbie, we hope so, too.
"Baseball is definitely a big part of my life," he admits, "and I'd like to have it be a part of my life for as long as I can."
Editor's Note: The following video is from a previous report.