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Brighton Park Carjacking Victim, Stroke Survivor Honored At Sox Game

By Ed Komenda | July 26, 2016 7:33am | Updated on July 26, 2016 10:28am
 Joe Maloney, an Oak Lawn boxer carjacked at gunpoint outside a Brighton Park boxing club, gave the
Joe Maloney, an Oak Lawn boxer carjacked at gunpoint outside a Brighton Park boxing club, gave the "Play Ball" announcement at Sunday's Sox game.
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Chicago White Sox

ARMOUR SQUARE — The White Sox invited a 19-year-old stroke survivor to kick off Sunday's home game with an epic "PLAY BALL!" announcement.

Joe Maloney, a stroke survivor and amateur boxer out of Oak Lawn, recently lost his 2005 Lincoln LS in a July 9 carjacking outside Sam Colonna’s Boxing in Brighton Park, where police say at least two robbers held him at gunpoint, shoved him to the ground and took off with the car.

His car has since been returned.

After hearing Maloney's story, the White Sox invited him and his family to the game on Sunday to celebrate Strike Out Stroke Day.

In December 2014, doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed Maloney with mast cell activation disorder (MCAD), a sickness that impairs the immune system, causes dizziness and stirs up episodes similar to a bad allergic reaction.

In January, Maloney suffered a stroke in his bedroom, landing him in the hospital for weeks.

He has since returned to Sam Colonna’s Boxing, where he trains four times a week.

Strike Out Stroke is a nonprofit that educates public on the warning signs of a stroke and the importance of calling 911.

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