A Korean War veteran from Indiana is remembered during an Indianapolis Indians game

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indianapolis Indians assisted the family of a Hoosier soldier who lost his life in the Korean War on Saturday night in paying tribute to him.

For the Indians in 1951, Corporal Rudolph “Rudy” Bruggner was slated to play shortstop. However, he was afterward enlisted in the US Army.

Bruggner frequently talked about his passion for the game in his countless letters to his family when he was fighting in the Korean War. He eventually lost his life in battle in Korea.

He consequently never really took the field with the Indians.

At Victory Field on Saturday night, Rudy’s great-nephew ceremoniously threw out the first pitch. The family also received two Bruggner jerseys in Rudy’s honor. Jenny Hunter, Bruggner’s great-great-niece, explained that this was done to give Rudy his eagerly anticipated opportunity to play for the Indians on the field.

“One of his letters is from July 8th, and it was him telling his father that he was getting ready to go back to the front line as a medic,” Hunter said. “And he just added: ‘Dad, I sure would like to see a ball game.’ And that’s why we’re here today.”

Rudy’s family also included other people in the festivities.

“It’s an honor to him,” said Rudy’s great-nephew Joe Reynolds. “That’s why we’re here on July 8th, the same day to follow up on his dream of getting home to see a ball game.”