Yankees Re-Sign Cancer Kid to One Year Contract

The New York Yankees have re-signed Jordan Cooper, 12, to a one year deal.

The announcement of Cooper's extension came one day after the expiration of the young cancer patient's original one-day contract Saturday.

"I'm so happy to still be on the Yankees," said Cooper, who is battling leukemia. "After I found out the first contract was only for one day, I was afraid it was just because they felt sorry for me, and I was really sad."

Nothing could be further from the truth, says Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

"Jordan is so brave, if I had 24 more guys like him I'm sure we'd take the pennant every year," he remarked.

Added Girardi: "Unfortunately there are no other roster spots available."

Cooper, who says he plays both shortstop and center field as well as pitcher, is looking forward to contributing to a championship season with New York.

"I'm going to hit fifty home runs and a hundred RBIs," he predicted.

"Hey, that's great," Girardi said.

ESPN analysts forecast that if Cooper plays the full season, he will bat .000 with no home runs and zero runs batted in.

Commented one Yankees fan: "He seems like a sweet kid. I hope he dies soon."