MLB: Aaron Boone completes amazing comeback story

September 2, 1:07 PMMLB ExaminerTony DeMarco

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Let the record show that he flied out to left field in his first at-bat. But does it really matter?

Because Aaron Boone is back, and major-league baseball now includes an open-heart surgery survivor.

The first outstanding defensive play came a half-inning later, when Boone -- playing first base in place of Lance Berkman against Cubs' left-hander Ted Lilly -- took a potential double away from Jeff Baker. Boone dove to his right, retrieved the ball and made a flip from his back to pitcher Felipe Paulino to retire Baker and end the inning.

But we really care because -- if you don't already know by now -- less than six months ago, Boone underwent surgery to repair his aortic valve -- and now has a nine-inch scar down the middle of his chest to prove it.

And so a nice, 12-year career that includes one All-Star Game appearance and a very memorable home run has an even more-memorable cap to it.

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Boone's wiki

Boone is married to a former Playboy Playmate