The story behind Frank Schwindel’s bond with a 7-year-old Chicago Cubs fan — and the quest to raise awareness of an unnamed disease

Sometimes, if you look closely, you can spot the blue band on Frank Schwindel’s wrist.

For Schwindel, his Team Ryker wristband is a visual connection to the 7-year-old Chicago Cubs fan who calls the first baseman his best friend.

Schwindel’s bond with Ryker Colón began in January at a meet-and-greet event through Club 400, a nonprofit founded by a Cubs fan. It spawned a link between Schwindel and the Colón family.

Ryker is one of 17 children in the world with a JAG2 gene mutation. Doctors categorize his condition as a form of muscular dystrophy; however, the rare disease does not have a name. Ryker no longer can walk and uses a power wheelchair.

None of it stopped him from playing catch that night with Schwindel, who hopes wearing the Team Ryker wristband will bring awareness to the disease.

“Whatever I can do that brightens someone’s day,” Schwindel told the Tribune. “Being able to