Hey everyone!
Here at Sports Excitement, we have been keeping an eye on the Little League World Series spanning from August 13, 2025, to August 25, 2025. The series included 10 U.S. and 10 international teams that participated in a double-elimination format. These teams put the “sport” in “Williamsport” as they compete with all the grit and passion they have to try and solidify themselves as world champions. The participants’ ages range from 10 to 12 years old. The tournament is held every August in the Lumber Capital of the World, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
What piqued our interest this year was the Fairfield National Little League team from Connecticut, more specifically, two players on that team with a truly amazing story: The Miracle babies, identical twins, formally known as S.J. (Stefano John) and Jimmy Taxiltaridis.
They earned their name after facing a premature birth and a dangerous condition known as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, where the two boys shared the same placenta. After undergoing a life-saving surgery and spending their earliest days in the NICU, the twins defied the odds. They continued to take control of their own story — not just surviving, but thriving — eventually bringing their talents to the Fairfield National team.
They continued to take control of their own story — not just surviving, but THRIVING
S.J. anchors as a pitcher and shortstop while Jimmy calls the games as a catcher. With their help the Fairfield National Team reached great success, becoming the first Connecticut team to reach the championship since 2013. The team generated much enthusiasm, from watch parties to growing local support.
The twin athletes continue a family legacy, as their parents were also accomplished in sports. Both competed at the collegiate level, the mother being a basketball player at Lehigh University, and their Father played football at the University of Connecticut. Now, the so-called “miracle babies” are not only following in their footsteps — they’re carving out their own path. From their birth in the NICU to the massive stage of the Little League World Series, the Taxiltaridis brothers display what makes the tournament so special: the reminder that every inning is more than just the sport of baseball; it’s about the heart, dedication, and grit that these twins displayed that make the game unforgettable.
