Ailing Dennis boy sings opener anthem

Flanked by his buddy David ''Big Papi'' Ortiz and slugger Manny Ramirez, the ebullient youth from South Dennis sang ''The Star-Spangled Banner'' in front of 35,500 screaming Red Sox fans at yesterday's home opener.

For 5-year-old Jordan, the seventh time singing at Fenway was just as sweet as the first.

''It was very fun,'' the tuckered-out kid said during his car ride home last night. ''My favorite part was David Ortiz's home run and Manny Ramirez signed my hat.''

Jordan, who sang in a body cast, is counting on an eighth Fenway Park performance.

''I will sing again,'' Jordan said, predicting a return trip to Fenway. ''I love it because I get to see all of the Red Sox players.''

Two years ago, Jordan was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma - a rare but aggressive cancer that eats away at bone - in the upper part of his right thigh. His parents, Ken and Shelley, brought him to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for treatment. He has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, including three operations over the winter.

''He absolutely lives for the Red Sox,'' Ken Leandre said yesterday.

Ortiz has become a special friend. The Sox slugger called Jordan and his family over this winter to offer his best wishes for the boy's recovery.

If Jordan's face looks familiar, you might have seen him serenading fans in the movie ''Fever Pitch.'' The movie, which stars Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore as love-struck Sox fans, is Jordan's all-time favorite.

Through the Jimmy Fund's connection with the Red Sox, Jordan was invited to sing the national anthem at Fenway Park on Aug. 27, 2004, as part of the Jimmy Fund's annual radiothon with radio station WEEI.

The radiothon performance caught the ears of ''Fever Pitch'' producers. On Sept. 4, 2004, Jordan sang the national anthem again before a packed Fenway house for footage that was later used in the movie.

Jordan first performed the national anthem at a game in his brother Andrew's youth baseball league.Jordan takes all of his performances in stride like a seasoned professional, according to his family.

He's also upbeat about his health, which is improving.

''He won't be sad about not being able to walk this past year because he'll say, 'That's OK, I'll walk next year,' '' said his proud father.

''Jordan makes everyone's life around him better because he constantly helps us find a silver lining in everything,'' Ken Leandre said. ''He is an inspiration and reminds us every day how much life itself really means.''

Jason Kolnos can be reached at jkolnos@capecodonline.com.

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