Mic Paul, Outfielder

Since 2004, the NBC World Series has annually chosen a Series participant to win the Eric Pintard Most Inspirational Player. Dozens of young men have overcome adversity off the field and returned to inspire their teammates, fans, and others. In 2025, for the first time, that player was on the Foresters—outfielder Mic Paul. And in a fairy-tale twist, a former Hugs for Cubs kid was part of the event. 

At the World Series last week, Foresters manager Bill Pintard presented Mic (pictured below) with the award during an on-field ceremony. In 2024, Mic battled through surgery and recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), a rare condition that restricts blood flow to the heart, to return to the field. He helped LSU win a national baseball championship, and he had a great summer 2025 with the Foresters, helping them win the CCL South Division and reach the quarterfinals at the NBC tournament. He’ll join the Washington Huskies this fall.

“It’s a great honor to get this award,” said Mic. “I was really inspired by Eric and his purpose. I’m very appreciative.”

When Eric received the Most Inspirational Player award in 1993, it inspired him, too. “That award helped Eric found the Hugs for Cubs,” said Bill Pintard, Hugs co-founder. “He saw what baseball could do to help people battling cancer like he was.” 

Amazingly, a young man working for the NBC Baseball Foundation today was visited by the Foresters Hugs for Cubs in 2003. Spencer Olmstead was in the hospital undergoing treatment for anemia. He had his spirits lifted by an enthusiastic visit by the Foresters, including future Major Leaguer Kevin Frandsen (below, holding up Spencer, then three years old). Ironically, in 2022, Spencer, who overcame his anemia, also battled TOS just as Mic Paul did, and he also returned to baseball in his work with the NBC. 

“To me, they were big-leaguers,” Olmstead told the Wichita Eagle. “I didn’t know any different back then. And then they asked me if I wanted to be the bat boy for them, and that was all I ever wanted.”

Spencer continues sharing his love of baseball with the NBC Baseball Foundation and got to meet Mic during the Eric Pintard Award ceremony.

“I couldn’t imagine playing at a high level like that after going through it,” Olmstead said. “The recovery [from IOS surgery] was so brutal. It’s so cool to see that Mic kept a smile on his face and kept competing. He’s an inspiration.”

Nice to see the circles keep coming around. Congratulations to Mic and to Spencer.