MLB brings Field of Dreams magic to Iowa cancer patients ahead of Dyersville game

DYERSVILLE, Iowa - Five cancer patients from MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center thought they were getting a simple meet-and-greet with Major League Baseball officials Thursday. Instead, they walked away with tickets to the MLB at Field of Dreams game presented by John Deere, a surprise that turned a routine hospital visit into an unforgettable experience.

Guy Larson, Ray Owensby, Katie Koopman, Tom Foote, and Lucy Sutherland were invited to what they believed would be a modest event at the hospital. Commissioner Rob Manfred, Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Jim Thome, and former big leaguer Jeremy Guthrie showed up to meet with patients, doctors, and staff. TC Bear and the Philly Phanatic provided the entertainment.

Then came the surprise. All five patients learned they would attend Thursday night's game between the Phillies and Twins at the iconic Field of Dreams site in Dyersville. They received both novelty tickets and the real thing.

Commissioner says community outreach is part of MLB's mission

Manfred said the visit was part of MLB's tradition of giving back to communities that host its major events.

“Every time we have one of our big events, and obviously Field of Dreams is one of them, we like to do something in the community to leave a little mark behind, say thank you,” Manfred said. “There's been a huge investment made here in terms of the ballpark, and this is just a small part of our effort to say thank you.”

The gesture carried extra weight for the patients, several of whom are in active treatment. Owensby, a Reds fan living in the Dubuque area, said he was stunned by the experience.

“I was expecting to come in and have the Commissioner wave at us, say hi, take a couple of pictures,” Owensby said. “I had no idea that it was going to be this intense. I'm blessed to be a part of it.”

Joe Torre brings personal connection to Field of Dreams visit

Torre, a cancer survivor himself and now a special assistant to the Commissioner, said the visit held deep personal meaning. Thursday marked his first Field of Dreams game.

“Meaningful to me because I haven't been here,” Torre said. “I haven't been to one of these Field of Dreams games, and I'm really looking forward to it. And I have a little personal touch, too, because the manager of the Phillies is Don Mattingly, who coached for me. Donnie coached for me with the Yankees and again with the Dodgers. I'm happy for him. He's good at what he does.”

Torre described the event as a gift for the local community.

“It's like Christmas. You bring something, unwrap it, and here it is. We certainly want the local people to enjoy this,” he said.

MLB at Field of Dreams brings national spotlight to Iowa

The game, streamed live on Netflix, showcased the Phillies and Twins at the ballpark made famous by the 1989 film. MLB personnel toured the MercyOne facility before heading to Dyersville for the evening matchup.

Manfred said the one-on-one interactions with patients were just as important as the larger community gesture.

“It gives you a great feeling about the theory behind games like this,” Manfred said. “Take the game where it isn't every day, and it gets a reaction from people because it's such a unique event. Especially significant when you have people who are facing challenges in their life, and you hope that baseball and a game like this gives them a little lift, at least for a day.”

What this means for Iowa baseball fans

The Field of Dreams game has become a marquee event for Iowa, drawing national attention to the state's rich baseball heritage. Thursday's community outreach underscores MLB's commitment to making the event about more than just the game itself.

For the five patients from MercyOne, the day was a reminder that baseball can bring joy even in difficult circumstances. As Owensby put it, it was a blessing to be part of something so special.