A detective sergeant from Norwich forced to retire because of his cancer diagnosis has been named honorary captain of the Connecticut Tigers.
Ed Beckham served the Norwich Police Department for 22 years.
"After hearing Ed's story, being one of the local police officers here that do the security here at the stadium, we thought what greater way to bring him out, bring him on the club," said Eric Knighton, general manager of the Detroit Tigers farm team.
With his 12-year-old son E.J. beside him as agent, Ed Peckham signed a one-day contract with the Tigers, a single A team. He'll have plenty to do even if he doesn't actually play Friday, on First Responder Night.
"I'm just excited that my dad gets to be part of the team," said E.J.
During the game, he'll be in the dugout after some batting practice. But with his daughter singing the Star Spangled Banner, he won't be the only member of the Peckham family in action.
"It's going to be fun watching my daughter sing, and just this whole experience has been awesome," said Peckham. "My biggest thing is my family and what they've had to go through with all of this."
