HUDSON, TX (KTRE) -
Students gathered inside the Hudson High School Gym Monday morning hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite baseball player and hometown hero.
"My favorite baseball player is Brandon Belt," Blake Slaga, a Hudson Middle School student.
Dressed in their favorite Brandon Belt jerseys, students of all ages waited patiently for the moment the San Francisco Giants first baseman finally took to the podium.
"First off, I want to apologize to everybody who is sick and tired of hearing about me right now," Brandon Belt said.
The school district put together a special ceremony to honor the former Hudson Hornets baseball player on his accomplishments.
"We are very, very proud of him, which we have always been proud of him and it's what makes this so special because we're the people that followed him in baseball through his career," Mary Whiteker, the Hudson ISD superintendent, said.
One-by-one students asked belt questions about his career, his life, and his dreams - something Belt says he thinks is very special.
"When I was growing up, and I wanted to be a baseball player, I never envisioned something like this, so it's really special to me," Belt said. "You know it's really dear to my heart, and I really appreciate everybody's support out here."
The 24-year-old recently won the World Series, and for some students, the chance to meet Belt was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"I'm very excited," Ian Greer, a Hudson Middle School student, said. "It will be my first time to meet a major league baseball player, so I'm very excited."
As home videos played on the big screen, Belt covered his face to hide his tears.
"It was unbelievable," Belt said. "It was one of those things I was really looking forward to because I wanted to get back home and see all the fans that supported me, and it was a chance for me to say thank you to them."
Belt will have another championship celebration Wednesday night at the George H. Henderson Expo Center in Lufkin. Fans are encouraged to bring signs and wear orange and black and the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on November 7th.
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