Blind rescue puppy named Stevie Wonder becomes member of Albuquerque baseball team

A New Mexico baseball team has adopted a blind rescue puppy named Stevie Wonder, KOB Eyewitness News 4 reports.

Some members of the Albuquerque Isotopes, a minor-league baseball team, had been volunteering at the Watermelon Mountain Ranch shelter in Barnalillo County when they met the playful puppy. Pitcher John Ely said it was love at first sight.

"He's got no eyes, but he's about as happy as they get," he said of the German shepherd blinded by infection and abuse. Stevie's keen sense of hearing and smell helps him adapt quickly, Ely added.

While Ely officially adopted the special-needs dog, the entire team is supporting Stevie financially.

"He won everyone over, so we all agreed to pitch in. Everyone loves him. The players, the coaches, clubhouse guys, everyone. Stevie's way more popular around here than I am," Ely told KOB Eyewitness News 4.

In fact, Stevie is now one of the team.

"He was all excited and fired up," Ely said of the energetic dog who now joins the team for their runs during practice. "Our clubhouse manager got us a name plate in line with all of the lockers so he's basically just one of the guys now."

When the team's away, Ely's girlfriend takes care of Stevie. At the end of the season, the pup will follow Ely to Chicago, where Ely owns a home.