For most of his life, Kevin Christ couldn't take a breath without help.

Born prematurely with serious lung issues, the Bucks County man spent his early childhood on a ventilator and the next three decades tethered to oxygen, never without a tube in his neck or therapy to help him breathe.

But on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, Christ stood tall on the mound, took a deep breath and let it fly. His first pitch crossed home plate, cheered on by thousands, including his proud family and the medical team who helped save his life.

"Now that I'm free from oxygen, it feels amazing," Christ said moments after his pitch.

Christ's journey to this moment has been anything but easy.

Doctors at Temple University Hospital first met Christ 11 years ago. Despite the challenges of breathing throug

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