SPECIAL DELIVERY: MCKINNIS TO THROW 1ST PITCH AT BUSCH

Dustin McKinnis doesn't know what's going to make him more nervous Saturday -- throwing out the first pitch at Busch Stadium or giving a talk after the Cardinals' game against the Mets.

"I think I might be more nervous about the talk, but I'm not sure," he said with a laugh.

What Dustin does know is that Saturday figures to be one of the best days of his young but already eventful life.

Dustin, the 15-year-old son of Mike and Linda McKinnis of Cape Girardeau, is the honorary chairman of the ninth annual Christian Family Day at Busch Stadium.

As honorary chairman, Dustin will throw out the first pitch prior to the 12:15 p.m. game against New York. Following the contest, there will be activities on the field featuring legendary Cardinals' great Lou Brock and a host of other players, past and present. Many of them will speak to the fans, Dustin included.

"It's going to be one of the most exciting things I've ever done," said Dustin of not only throwing out the first pitch but also speaking about his faith in God.

Dustin firmly believes that, along with his family and friends, God has played a vital role in his life and has been one of the reasons he has been able to so far overcome some major odds.

Dustin was born with a birth defect that makes it impossible for him to breathe through his nose or mouth. He has a permanent trachea tube in his neck. To speak, he must cover the hole, sometimes with his thumb, sometimes by tilting his head.

Because of the defect, Dustin is susceptible to infections. The smallest cold bug can turn into a serious respiratory infection. He has undergone 103 surgeries, with another one scheduled for less than a week after Saturday's big day. The upcoming surgery, said Dustin, will be more like a checkup, to make sure everything is working well.

"I wanted to definitely have it after Saturday," he said with a smile.

Despite all the hardships he has had to endure, smiling and laughing are things that come easily to Dustin, who said he is truly thankful for what he has and doesn't dwell on the hand he was dealt. Those are some of the things he'll likely talk about Saturday.

"I want to tell people what Christ has meant to my life," he said. "I've always believed really strongly. I've been in tough situations and it seems like I always pull out, with the help of God and family and friends and prayers. I owe Him and I want to give something back."

Dustin, who said he has been feeling well recently, never has wanted any kind of special treatment.

"I just tried to be like everybody else. I don't want any special treatment," he said. "I just consider myself like anybody else."

The McKinnis family has been fans of the Cardinals for a long time and Dustin met Jack Buck, the legendary Cardinals' announcer, during a visit to Busch Stadium when Dustin was 6. A friendship quickly resulted and that has endured ever since.

Dustin has twice been invited into the booth to broadcast with Buck, who has even paid a visit to the McKinnis home.

"He's a great friend of mine," said Dustin, proudly.

Dustin has also gotten to be friends with many other players and the McKinnis home is filled with memorabilia given to Dustin over the years. Among the current or former players Dustin considers himself close to are Ozzie Smith, Bob Tewksbury, Brian Jordan and John Mabry.

"I've been in awe of some of the players I've gotten to meet and become friends with," said Dustin, somewhat humbly. "I've always looked at it as a privilege and it's not something I take for granted."

Dustin has met Mark McGwire a couple of times and he was at Busch Stadium to witness several of McGwire's home runs during his record-setting season last year. Dustin saw McGwire hit Nos. 38, 55, 62, 63 and 70 -- which is where the record stands.

"Watching him hit his 70th was one of my biggest thrills," said Dustin, who has a framed picture of he and his family standing and cheering from the front row as McGwire salutes the crowd after his 70th home run. "I don't think it will ever be broken."

The path to Dustin being named honorary chairman for Christian Family Day actually began last year when he became friends with people in charge of the annual event. They asked if he'd like to be involved, then later asked if he'd like to be honorary chairman.

"It's a great honor," he said.

But Dustin admitted he got a little nervous when told he'd be throwing out the first pitch.

"I wasn't at first, but since I've learned it's going to be a sell-out crowd, I started getting nervous," he said with a laugh.

Now, Dustin has to make sure his arm is up to the challenge. That really shouldn't be a problem because, although he can't play competitive sports, he does his share of throwing and catching, including with members of the Southeast Missouri State University and McDowell Capahas baseball teams. He has served as Southeast's batboy over the past few years and has also helped out the Capahas in the past.

Dustin said that he was planning a special workout session with Greg Goff, Southeast's pitching coach, and he had also received some encouragement over the phone from Tewksbury.

"He (Tewksbury) told me just to relax and that I'll do fine," Dustin said. "I just want to get the pitch down the middle and I don't want to bounce it. I think I can do it."

Perhaps a bigger problem than throwing a strike or giving a good talk might be tracking down tickets for all the family and friends who are planning to be at Saturday's game.

"I think we might have 35 there," said Linda with a laugh. "We're still looking for tickets."