One day, not so long ago, a hero wandered the streets of San Francisco.
But that day, San Francisco had another name – Gotham City. And it was protected by a 5-year-old named Miles Scott who spent one day in 2013 helping keep Gotham City safe.
Now, more than a decade later, the city still remembers the little boy who wanted to be a hero and the hope and resilience he showed them.
Miles was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 1. After years of fighting the disease, the little boy was granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. On Nov. 15, 2013, San Francisco collaborated to turn fantasy into reality, making Miles the hero of his own story.
Miles Scott. Photo by Make-A-Wish Foundation
Looking back on that magical day, the now a 15-year-old high school student, Miles said, “Batman doesn’t have all the superpowers, but he’s still going out there and saving people. That’s what I like about him.”
He gives people hope without any superpowers.”
The foundation orchestrated a symphony of goodwill, involving the late Mayor Ed Lee, local law enforcement, the San Francisco Giants, and even a special edition of The San Francisco Chronicle that had Bat Kid on the cover.
Thousands gathered, not just to witness a boy’s wish come true, but to share in a moment of collective joy and hope. Former President Barack Obama added his voice to the chorus of encouragement, emphasizing the broader impact beyond one child’s dream.
“I feel like it brought hope to more than just a couple people,” Miles said. “It wasn’t just about me on that day, I don’t think. It was about them getting all together and just having fun.”
Miles’ mother, Natalie Scott, vividly recalls the palpable positivity that enveloped the city that day. “The city — a huge city — people flew in from everywhere, and it just gave everyone some sense of peace almost.” The community came together, transcending the boundaries of everyday life, and for a moment, Gotham City was real.
Thousands of people cheered the young Miles on as he battled villains, thwarted crime, freed the San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal, and earned a key to the city.
A decade later, much has changed. Miles traded in his Batmobile for a tractor on the family farm, showcasing the resilience that goes beyond defeating fictional villains. His younger brother, Ben, now carries the mantle of Batkid during Halloween, a symbolic passing of the superhero torch within the Scott family.
While the Batkid costume may no longer fit, the echoes of that transformative day persist. Miles, in remission since 2013, continues to attend annual checkups, ensuring his journey remains on the “straight and narrow,” as his father, Nick Scott, noted.
The San Francisco Chronicle published a special edition to mark the occasion. Photo by Make-A-Wish Foundation
Looking toward the future, Miles envisions a life beyond Gotham. “He’s dead set on going to Alaska and being a ‘pack mule’ for his cousin’s husband’s guide business,” his mother said. The teenager also has an interest in welding, as well as baseball.
As Miles dons an all-black baseball uniform to play, the dugout echoes with cheers of “Batkid! Batkid!” Baseball, a symbol of teamwork and perseverance, now intertwines with his heroic past. The boy who once captured the world’s attention as Batkid has grown into a young man, navigating the challenges of high school and embracing the ordinary joys of adolescence, cancer free.
Miles’ journey reminds us of the enduring power of hope, community, and the human spirit. Watch below as Miles discusses that magical day where he was the hero of San Francisco.
