In a world often dominated by headlines of division and despair, a powerful story of love, redemption, and full-circle fate has emerged — starring none other than Boston Red Sox legend Jim Rice.

Twenty-two years ago, on a chilly autumn evening near a Boston train station, Rice was on his way home when he heard faint cries coming from behind a dumpster. What he found would change his life forever: two newborn twin girls, abandoned and barely clinging to life. Wrapped in nothing but thin cloth, the infants were freezing, hungry, and alone.

Rice, a Hall of Famer known for his toughness on the field, showed the world his heart that night. Without hesitation, he rushed the babies to the nearest hospital, stayed with them until they were stabilized, and worked quietly behind the scenes to ensure they were placed into a loving foster care system. He even covered some of their early medical costs — all anonymously. He never sought recognition, saying only at the time, “God put me there for a reason.”

For years, the story was known only to a few close to Rice. But this week, that moment came full circle in a way that left the 71-year-old baseball icon in tears.

At a charity event hosted by the Red Sox Foundation, where Rice believed he was being honored for his longtime support of community programs, two poised and beautiful young women took the stage. Their names were Lena and Layla Brooks — the twin girls he had once saved.

With the crowd hanging on every word, Lena began to speak.

“We don’t remember the night we were abandoned. But we remember every story we were told about the man who didn’t walk past us. Who didn’t say, ‘Not my problem.’ Who saved us — and gave us the chance to live.”

Layla continued:

“Tonight, we want to give something back. We’ve both just graduated from college, and we’ve started a nonprofit dedicated to helping abandoned and homeless youth in the Boston area. And we’ve named it in honor of the man who gave us our future. It’s called: The Rice Foundation for Hope.”

As the room erupted in applause, Jim Rice stood motionless, tears streaming down his face. When the young women embraced him moments later, witnesses said it was one of the most emotional scenes ever witnessed at a Red Sox Foundation event.

“I’ve hit home runs. I’ve been inducted into Cooperstown,” Rice later said, his voice trembling. “But this? This is the greatest honor of my life. Seeing what those girls have become… I can’t put it into words.”

The Rice Foundation for Hope will work to provide emergency care, shelter, education resources, and long-term mentorship for children and teens at risk — and its launch has already drawn support from current and former Red Sox players, as well as civic leaders across Massachusetts.

For Jim Rice, the moment was proof that kindness has a ripple effect that can last decades.

And for Lena and Layla — two once-forgotten newborns — it was their chance to say thank you in the most powerful way possible.