I am proud to say, in 1969, I attended Mickey Mantle Day.  It was incredible to say the least.  Joe DiMaggio was there with many others.  That day Mantle had his number retired and a plaque placed in centerfield.  He in turn presented DiMaggio with a plaque that Mantle said would have to hang a little higher than his.

Today, Derek Jeter goes into monument park and his number is retired.

In 1996, George Steinbrenner assigned me the duty of mentoring Jeter, because he was a rookie.  We were inseparable that season. He even ate spaghetti at my home with my kids who loved him. After the World Series, he gave me a baseball that said, “Thank you for your help this season, I couldn’t have done it without you.”  Even though he could have made it without me, I thought the gesture was very nice.  The following season he asked me why we hadn’t hung out that much and I told him, “Because you don’t need me anymore.  You are more mature than most rookies I have seen come up.”  I could talk about Jeter all day but that would be called a book!  To say that I am close to Jeter would be a lie, however I am close enough to say that like Bobby Murcer and Thurman Munson, Derek Jeter did it right and I am glad that the fans appreciate him the way that they do.

I asked some of my celebrity friends to give me a quote or two about their feelings for Jeter.  I hope you enjoy them.

JETER’S BRONX TALE

 

I want to wish Derek Jeter congratulations on a great career. Thank God for making you a Yankee!

Enjoy your retirement.

So happy you weren’t “Wasted Talent.”

—- Chazz Palminteri

 

AN OFFICER (CAPTAIN) & A GENTLEMAN

Congratulations on your day! You were a big part of my son growing up–thank you and enjoy your retirement!

—-Richard Gere

 

JETER LIGHTS OUR FIRE

Derek! I want to send a shout-out to you and your family from my own family and me on this extraordinary day!! When I heard about your celebrating today, not only your own accomplishments as an athlete, but also in honor of your family, especially your Mother, I just smiled because it so exemplifies the kind of person you are. It’s an honor for us to have been on this planet during the time of your professional career to witness, first hand, your talent as a player and your character as a human being. God bless you and thanks for the memories!

—-Jose Feliciano

 

A YELLOW RIBBON FOR JETER

It’s the only time the number 2 is number one!!!  Only Jeter can accomplish that!

I will “tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree” for you.

Enjoy your retirement.

—-Tony Orlando

 

MISTER 3000

Congratulations on your storied career. I am glad that I was able to be a small part of it when I caught number 3000.

I wish you nothing but the best in life

—-Christian Lopez, Fan that caught number 3000

 

JETER’S NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

Thank you for putting respect back into sports and to our children.

—-Richie Cannata, Original Billy Joel Sax player & Founder of the Lords of 52^nd Street

HANK’S APPRECIATION TO DEREK

The Pride and dignity that you always showed in being a Yankee will always be appreciated by my family and the organization.

—-Hank Steinbrenner

 

NICE ACT BY TEAM PRESIDENT

Yankee team president, Randy Levine showed the heart that has always been a part of the NY Yankees.  It was brought to my attention that he sent four tickets to Christian Lopez, the fan that caught Derek Jeter’s 3000^th hit.  Christian told me how touched he was by the kind gesture.   An act right out of the Boss’ bag of tricks—Way to go!

This week I got to sit down with Yankees managing general partner, Hal Steinbrenner.  Before we got into our question and answer period, we talked about the borough of the Bronx, we talked about children of the area and their participation in little league baseball.

This week I  spoke with long time NY Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. This was supposed to be a year of rebuilding, however today we find the Yankees in first place in the American League east. Last week team president Randy Levine praised Cashman and his staff on my ESPN radio show and also in my column that is published on Newsmax.

Here is the brief question and answer session with Cashman and his take on the 2017 season.

*******************************************

Negron:  Brian How do you feel about what is happening?

Cashman: I sleep better at night. The players are doing their job and playing great and we are winning games so all things are good.

Negron: I just came back from all the Little League openings in the city and all the parents were talking about the great comeback last night. What are your feelings about that great comeback game against the Orioles?

Cashman: It was a special game. Who would have predicted down 9-1, down 11-4, and have that type of comeback. These are special moments. Everybody here watching, that’s a memory you’re going to have for a long time. Hopefully all those kids you were talking about are running around practicing their swing,  pretending they are Gary Sanchez or Holliday (Matt) , or Judge (Aaron) or Starlin Castro.

Negron: At the beginning of the season when they were taking the polls at ESPN and NY Sportsday my prediction was that the Yankees were going to take the division and everybody laughed at me. What is your reaction to those predictions?

Cashman:  Guess we will have to find out in the next five months. We go five more months banging it out, try and stay healthy and we will see where we stand when the dust settles. Obviously our dream is to win the division and get an automatic bid in the postseason, if not the division, the wild card. This team is capable of a lot  of good stuff. Most important thing is to take care of one day at a time.

Negron:  You sit behind home plate with your baseball people at spring training. I see you everyday at every game. Your guys sit there taking notes. Is this ballclub over achieving after starting the season winning one of your first five games and getting off to such a great start?

Cashman: No, we are not over achieving. We are playing good baseball. We got out of the gate poorly.  And obviously the last three weeks were more representative of how we played in March. This has been a good two months. Our guys feel good about each other, their game, the results they have been following. We just want to keep riding that positive wave.

Negron: Let me ask you about the pitching. How do you feel about the starting pitching now?

Cashman: Its been great- Our starters didn’t look good in the spring. We won a lot of games in the spring because of our offense. After that first week of the season it’s been just tremendous and one of the big reasons why we are where we are at.

Negron: They are talking about doing a major motion picture in New York City this year, a baseball story about a kid from the Bronx who needs a second chance in order to start his life again. The name of the movie is called Stano, being done by the same people who produced Rocky. There is talk about you doing a cameo. Are you going to do it?

Cashman: I am in!

Negron: Ladies and gentleman you heard it here first –The next Al Pacino is the Yankees general manager Mr. Brian Cashman. Thank you so much.

Weekends With Ray: ESPN 1050 Deportes Saturday-Sunday 12-2pm. Read Ray on Newsmax

I want to wish a very happy birthday to my dear friend, Mr. Frankie Valli. Today Frankie is 83 years old and he is still performing better than ever. Frankie has always been a person that has been great to me and my friends. He is truly my generation’s Sinatra.

Frankie has always shown his kindness to people not associated with the arts, yet people around the arts always feel like a big deal when Frankie is around. I won’t forget being at a function where there were many big stars there, including Frankie. All of a sudden Paul McCartney walked into the room and the minute he spotted Mr. Valli, he went up to him, put his arm around him, wished him well and started to sing “Sherry.” If that doesn’t tell you, how big Frankie really is, then nothing does.

The classic line in the movie Goodfellas was when Lorraine Bracco screams at Ray Liotta for not showing up to their date. “You got some nerve standing me up like that last night! Nobody does that to me! Who the Hell do you think you are? Frankie Valli or some kinda bigshot?”

Frankie has always been a hero to me and a lot of my friends. To say that I have probably been to 200 of his shows in my lifetime is an understatement. There are (at least) two things that will always be special to me about Frankie. First, when he was on Broadway and his show was sold out, I bought tickets from a scalper. When Frankie found out, he got upset with me, because he said, “no matter what, you never pay at my show.” And, last year, when I couldn’t attend his show, but my son Ricky went, Frankie spent most of his time babysitting Ricky, despite many of Frankie’s friends being there to see him.

That’s just who Frankie Valli is — one of the really good guys that I have known in my life of sports and entertainment. You’re just too good to be true!

Just like an incredible movie, the story of the Yankees is a classic. If the film was The Godfather, then naturally George Steinbrenner would be Don Vito Corelone, who was played by Marlon Brando – probably the greatest actor of all time. And naturally, Tom Hagen, the consigliere – played by Robert Duvall – would be Yankees president Randy Levine.

I’ve known Randy for a very long time and can honestly say when it comes to his work in protecting the Yankee brand, he is powerful and energetic. Like the character in The Godfather, Randy is loyal to a fault,  has a big heart and is someone who has always been there for the less privileged, as his work in hospitals around the country has proven.  I understand why The Boss handpicked this man to help lead the Yankee empire and I always find it exciting whenever I can help him in different team projects.

This weekend, I sat down with Randy to talk about his feelings regarding The Baby Bombers, the 2017 Yankees

Ray Negron: How are the Yankees doing this? I just came back from a little league event and the parents are all excited. They are excited about what happened in the game. This team is exciting. Is it real?

Randy Levine: So far it’s real. We have a lot of confidence in our organization. Cash (Brian Cashman) and the baseball operations people have done a very good job in turning it over here. Our fans love these young players. It’s still early, but you see the excitement and the promise and we can have a really very exciting summer.

RN: What keeps the brand so high, Randy? What is the story behind that.

RL: Well the Yankees are about tradition and winning. We wear the same uniform. We have forever. We maintain the same quality. We only do business in a way that enhances the brand and makes it consistent with our history and precedent, the way “The Boss” would have wanted.

Unlike a lot of other teams, which is so-far heartening to me, we don’t have time to rebuild here in New York with the Yankees. We are able to do this while being competitive. Although we missed the playoffs the last couple of years, we are always competitive. We have winning seasons and so far, it looks like we could be into something special for many years to come.

RN: After the passing of the great George Steinbrenner, it seems that you always keep his name alive. He seems that he is always with us and like he’s right here in the room with you. What’s the deal with that Randy?

RL: Because he is. He left his legacy. He left his blueprint. His family, Hal Steinbrenner, his son, is the managing general partner. He created the blueprint and the formula for how the Yankee organization should win and how the Yankee organization should put its face forward. He didn’t invent it. This goes back to the founders of the Yankees and all the great owners before The Boss. He took it to a different level. In everything I do and everything his family and Hal does is that we always try to do what the Boss would have done.

RN: Why are the Yankees so important to you personally, Randy?

RL: Well, I have been a Yankee fan my whole life. I live in New York City. I’m a life-long New Yorker. I see what the Yankees mean to people. I know what they represent. I know a lot of people have good days or bad days based on how the Yankees do. That’s the great thing about baseball. There’s no clock. It goes for six months. It’s something people can watch and accompany them all the way from the spring and into the fall. The Yankees do so many meaningful things off the field. We help people. We give them opportunities. We help people in need. We help young people. To be involved in an organization that has such a powerful role in shaping people’s lives and helping people is very gratifying.

RN: You have shown your love for this organization for a very long time. Would you ever leave?

RL: I am healthy. Feel good. So, I have no plans to leave. Some people may be booing that right now, but that’s the way it goes. I plan on being here for a long time. God willing.

Weekends with Ray: ESPN 1050 Deportes Saturday and Sunday 12-2pm. Read Ray on Newsmax

October of 1986 the New York Mets won the World Series and were riding on the Canyon Of Heroes with then Mayor Ed Koch, Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday. The lone person missing that day was the Mets 21-year old phenom, Dwight Gooden.  Everyone asked Darryl Strawberry where he was and Strawberry said he went by the house and did not get an answer.

It was later revealed that Dwight had given into his demons the night before and succumb to the deadly drug known as cocaine. For years Gooden had to listen to the bad jokes and was always asked about where did he end up that night. Gooden would laugh on the outside but cry on the inside. It was something that he was always ashamed of.

He felt he let so many people down, especially his mother and father. Dwight has been lucky because he got to play for the Yankees and won two more world championships and got to go to those parades but even that didn’t take away the pain and humiliation of what has broken his heart the past thirty years.

This past year, Dwight lost his beloved mother Ella Mae Gooden probably the closest person to him next to his children, the anchor of his life and the person who no matter how far he had fallen would always be there to pick him up. Two months ago he got into a public and verbal fight with Darryl Strawberry over the possibilities of more drug use.

Things were said that basically hurt both parties, however, if you know the history of these two men, then you know they are truly like brothers who fight, scream and claw at each other, but at the end of the day you know that you love each other and will always be there for one other.

Many people, myself included, hated all  the negativity that was going on between these two really good guys. A mutual friend, strongly involved with the media, Amy Heart, has known these two gentleman for quite some time and felt that enough was enough. One way or another, Amy got Doc and Darryl together in the same room and would not let them leave until they had taken care of their differences.

If you really know Doc and Darryl, that was a dangerous act to take because of the type of tempers these guys have, the situation could have backfired and these two could have ended up killing each other.  However, true love prevailed and these former New York baseball giants ended up hugging each other.

Amy, being the soul that she is, understood how much missing that parade had beat up on the core of Gooden’s soul. She had a friend of  Mayor Bill de Blassio  and explained the situation and the next thing you know we were having a ceremony on the steps of City Hall with Dwight, Darryl, and some of his 1986 teammates.

This was the first time that I would meet the Mayor and really appreciated his compassion for Dwight Gooden and his situation. The Mayor looked at and listened to Gooden more like a person who needed a hand as opposed to someone that had been a fallen hero.

There were hundreds of fans in attendance as the Mayor gave Dwight the “Key To The City.” The Mayor introduced all the special guests who were there. He even introduced me as Ray Negron from the other team in New York, and in my own way I was flattered because I was there representing my beloved Yankees. And, Gooden did have some incredible good moments there too.

Mayor De Blassio finally called Gooden to the podium and he got a wonderful ovation from all the fans who were there. Gooden was very honest with the fans about why he didn’t show up that day. He spoke of his pain and mentioned the fact that he was extremely grateful to the Mayor for letting this happen and he was also extremely grateful to Amy Heart for caring enough about Dwight Gooden the person that she would help facilitate this wonderful day for Dwight.

When Gooden broke down and cried at the podium, I knew that those tears were meant for two special ladies that he misses very much. One being Adele Smithers the pioneer of drug recovery who has helped pick Gooden up on many occasions and just recently passed away, and of course his incredible mom who taught Dwight that love would always conquer all.

All in all it was just another nice day in the paradise known as baseball.

Weekends with Ray: ESPN 1050 Deportes Saturday and Sunday 12-2pm. Read Ray on Newsmax

It was the spring of 1984 when I received a phone call from a long time friend and former batting practice pitcher Tony Ferrara. Tony called to tell me that Robert Redford was making a movie called, The Natural. He was looking to cast baseball players to play on a fictional team called the “New York Knights.”

I went to meet with the producers because they knew I had played some minor league baseball. They immediately told me that this was a period piece that took place in 1939 — a time, when there weren’t any blacks or dark skinned Hispanics who played in the big leagues.

Nevertheless, they told me that they would consider whether I could pass for an Italian. I thought that maybe I would make the cut since I had already done a baseball film with Andy Garcia called, “Blue Skies Again.” To work with Robert Redford would be a dream come true.

In the meantime, along with Tony Ferrara, I helped the producers cast other players and provided instruction to the producers on how baseball teams run practices.

Two days later, I received the call I was dreading. The producers told me that they were not going to be able to use me in the film, but would love if I signed on as an adviser. Naturally, I was extremely disappointed, because I thought that this was going to be a great film — and it was.

I told the casting director that I had a guy that played with me in high school and that I competed against in the minor leagues when he played for the Cardinals organization and me for the Pirates organization. It was then that I recommended Kenny Grassano for the role that I had hoped to play. And if that wasn’t enough, he was Italian. The casting director responded, “oh no, is he dark?” And with a smile on my face, I told him, “no, he’s whiter than you” — and we laughed.

That afternoon, I called Kenny and told him that I had a movie part for him. Naturally, people that know me well know that I can be a practical joker — so Kenny never believed it was true. I had to convince him to take a ride up to a remote field in Westchester, where the filmmakers were holding workouts. It wasn’t until he arrived and saw Robert Redford that he believed me.

As a matter of fact, Kenny was so good, that they scripted lines for him. And Kenny was a guy that had never acted in his life. Kenny had the looks of a Ben Affleck and if he wanted to, could have made his living acting.

From what I understand, Robert Redford loved the scenes that Kenny appeared in. Kenny was a natural. Just like he was on the baseball field.

Even though I had gone on to make other films, I regretted that I never had the opportunity to appear in such an epic production as The Natural. However, Kenny Grassano was so grateful that he never forgot that I opened the door for him to be able to appear in one of the biggest productions in Hollywood history.

Years later, Kenny would end up suffering from multiple sclerosis. Kenny fought like a champion to keep living life and to be an incredible father to his children. It was very difficult for me to see Kenny in this condition, because if you knew him, he was a strong, beautifully chiseled athlete. To see this disease tear him down and later, he would also end up suffering from cancer, there just aren’t words to explain why such a good person had to suffer so much.

Despite his trials and tribulations, Kenny never felt sorry for himself. I will never forget when Kenny asked me to take a ride to a baseball facility to watch his son practice. He tried to act like he wasn’t sick — but he tripped and fell to the floor. It reminded me of the scene in the Pride of the Yankees when Lou Gehrig fell in the locker room and the team pretended that they didn’t see anything. However, with Kenny, he didn’t try to hide it and he didn’t give a damn. He got right up and said that he couldn’t wait for me to see his son throw.

That was probably the last time I saw Kenny alive. He would die of cancer a little while later.

This week, Kenny’s youngest son, Vincent, graduated from college with a degree in sports management. I am supposed to start helping produce a film this summer called, “Stano,” a fantasy about a guy from the Bronx who has bad luck, goes to prison, and when he gets out, still has a desire to play ball.

One of the first things I plan to do for that production is to hire Vincent as one of the ball players. I saw a picture of him, and the resemblance to his old man is uncanny. As great as The Natural was, maybe, just maybe, Vincent Grassano will bring the same blessing to the production of Stano.

In life, I have been fortunate to know some wonderful people with incredible hearts. Few rival that of, Munson, Murcer, Catfish, Billy, the Boss, and Kenny Grassano.

TAMPA – Each spring produces a unique baseball story. For whatever the reason, it’s core seems to be at Steinbrenner Field. This year was no different.

A few days before spring training began, I walked into the Yankee locker room to check out Reggie Jackson’s locker. The volume of apparel (t-shirts, shoes, etc.) present typically signifies the proximity to Mr. October’s arrival. It’s an old trick that Pete Sheehy, the famed clubhouse manager taught me.

As the players arrival draws near, Pete would stock with equipment Babe Ruth’s, Lou Gehrig’s, and later Joe DiMaggio’s and Mickey Mantle’s lockers. Pete told me that it would naturally work out that way, it really wasn’t planned.

When I looked to the right of Reggie’s locker, I saw a name that I recognized — but not from Major League Baseball. The nameplate on the locker read “Mike Megale.” When I saw that, I said to myself, I wonder if it’s the same guy that I know. The Mike Megale that I know is a guy that works with young players — both high school and college — in the Westchester and Connecticut parts of the Tri-State area. Mike actually works out of the former Mets and Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine’s baseball facility in Connecticut.

Richard Gere and his best friend, Russell Hernandez, the construction mogul, first told me about Mike and the great work that he does with young players. So, I took my son Ricky to take some hitting lessons from him. The thing that I know about Mike is he is very intense and passionate about the game. He is not afraid to work and his love of the game speaks for itself.

At that moment, I grabbed my cell phone and called Mike. I told him I was standing in the locker room at GMS Field and saw a name on the locker next to Reggie’s that I recognized. He started to laugh and told me that yes, it was him. All of a sudden, he asked me, “Are you really standing in the locker room? Is it really next to Reggie’s?” I told him it was actually two lockers from Reggie’s. He asked if I would do him a favor and take a picture and send it to him so he could share it with his family.

Over the years, I have seen so many players walk into the Yankee locker room for the first time and experience the same emotion. If you have ever seen the movie The Pride of the Yankees, there is that famous scene of Lou Gehrig walking up to his locker for the first time with that look of true excitement. I could understand how Mike felt the exact same way.

I asked Mike, “How did this happen?” He told me that he had been training Brian Cashman’s son at the Valentine facility in Connecticut. The fact that Mike had played pro ball with various organizations endeared him to Cashman. Cashman knew that Mike was familiar with the different players and coaches in the area. Cashman had also told Mike that he was looking for a bullpen catcher to help the Yankees during spring training. Without batting an eye, Mike told Cashman that he had his man.

Knowing Brian the way I do, I’m sure he had seen enough of Mike’s work to know that he would do a terrific job. Mike showed me a video of himself preparing for spring training. That video included Mike getting in front of a pitching machine and catching balls coming in at over 100 miles per hour.

During spring training, I grew to know Mike well. He actually bored me because at dinner all he would talk about was baseball and more baseball. At one dinner we were eating with President Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen and his son, Jake, who happens to be a very talented left handed pitcher. Mike actually gave Jake a pitching lesson in the middle of the restaurant — our rice and beans had to wait.

Every morning, Mike would arrive at the ballpark by 6 a.m. and was the last to leave. At the start of training camp, he asked me if I had any advice for him. I told him spring training would fly by and because it was the Yankees, he would grow to love the game more than ever. I also told him that when the end comes, even though he might be disappointed, he would know that whatever success the Yankees have this season, he would have played a part in it.

During spring training, I keep an eye on everything. Joe Girardi runs the best spring camp since when Dick Houser used to handle Billy Martin’s camp. Through it all, I saw a very intense young man work his ass off to make the Yankees better. No one worked harder and I’m sure that Brian Cashman got exactly what he had expected from Mike.

At the end of camp, Mike was thanked for his efforts. In his eyes I saw the look of a guy who was both proud and saddened that camp had come to an end. Mike did what millions wish they could do. The time was short, and he was not ready to say goodbye to the Yankees. The magic of being part of the Yankees, like love, stays with you forever.

I never saw anyone love the Yankees more than George Steinbrenner and I remember he warned me once about how powerful that team can be. I talked to Brian Cashman and to many coaches and players and, to a man, they told me that Mike Megale did a fantastic job. He made their jobs easier because of how hard he worked. As one coach told me, “Any success we have this season, Mike is a part of this, because he helped us prepare.”

Similarly, Gary Sanchez told me, “Mike Megale earned his stripes, the Yankee pinstripes.”

This poem was sent to me this morning by Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle. It was done by a 7th grade student from Michigan. I thought I should share this with the world.

“42”
In 1947, the Dodgers were Brooklyn’s team;
And the man in charge had a dream.

To make baseball equal for all;
Because black players could not scream, “Play Ball”.

Oh, sure, “they” would play on dirt fields far and wide;
But never on a Major League diamond could a Negro hit, catch or slide.

The “other” league had great players, this is true;
Satchel, Josh, Cool-Papa to name a few.

But Mr. Rickey needed a man who “could turn the other cheek”;
He needed a player of courage, who would be strong, not weak.

For insults would be hurled and this man would be put to the test;
Throughout the season this man would have to be at his very best.

He would have to ignore the pain and vitriol;
Just to prove he could “Play Ball”
With those who scorned and loathed him;
With those whose lights burned dim.

From far out West he came;
Jack Robinson was his God-given name.

A great athlete from UCLA;
He starred for the Kansas City Monarchs during the day.
A base stealing threat and slugger by trade;
Branch Rickey knew this man was courageously made.

He would not wilt under the slings and barbs that were sure to come;
He would rise up and with his teammates become a “Brooklyn Bum”.

Starting in Montreal, he showed his baseball skill;
Staring down bigotry, he proved his will.

Earning a spot on the big-league roster;
Hate, resentment most fans and teammates would foster.

Donning number Forty Two, Jackie stepped onto Ebbets Field and heard a loud “boo”;
It got louder at each city he went; the fans, opponents all filled with resentment.

But, Robinson kept playing – Jackie persevered;
Singles he hit, catches he made and bases he cleared.

To the pennant the Dodgers he led, always remembering what Branch Rickey had said:
“You must turn the other cheek, be courageous, not weak”;

Rookie of the Year, MVP and Hall of Fame, are some awards Jackie Robinson earned;
But what makes him special, is that fire that burned.
To be the first, a trail blazer some might say;
So that players of all color could get a chance to play.

By Grace Boczar, 7th Grade, Plymouth Scholars School

The Yankees held their annual welcome home dinner at the New York Hilton on 6th avenue in midtown. I received several phone calls from friends that attended the affair and they reported it was a truly memorable event. Charlie Santoro of the YES network could not stop telling me that Derek Jeter was effusive in his praise of the organization.

It was great to hear that Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal talked about her dad and how much he cared about Derek Jeter and the fact that Jeter had always been so respectful of the Boss. It was wonderful that the Yankees recognized the Boss’s great press agent Howard Rubenstein. Howard has always been one of the classiest individuals associated with the New York Yankees and has been my friend for countless years.

But the thing that made me most happy was when I received phone calls from Dan Quintero, the head of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club to tell me about how proud he was of a young lady, a student of his club, who was selected as student of the year. He told me that she was a remarkable story and suggested I write a story on her. He asked that I call his assistant at the club, Harold Maldonado, so that he could provide the specifics because Harold was present and Dan was not.

When I reached Harold, he was so elated, and reported that it was one of the great events he had ever attended. He told me how classy everyone was at the event. At that point, he had Margaret Rodriguez call me and to say that she was excited is an understatement. Margaret told me how amazed she was at attending such an incredible function. She couldn’t believe she spoke before an audience that included Derek Jeter and her other heroes, including C.C. Sabathia. It was an incredible feeling. When she finished her speech, Derek came up to her and said she was wonderful.

Jenny Steinbrenner really made it memorable for her. She told Margaret that her story was something special and that she should always share it. Margaret couldn’t stop staring at Jenny’s necklace. It was absolutely beautiful and extremely classy. Derek Jeter’s dad, Charles, had actually come up to Margaret and told her to make sure that she made this her night. He is truly a very nice man.

I have met Margaret Rodriguez quite a few times at the club and understand why she was chosen. She is truly a leader and Harold Maldonado told me that her academic achievements are superior and her participation at the club is unique. She is someone that everyone wants to follow. She told me that the club means the world to her.

I asked her when she is finished with her education what she wants to do with her life. She told me that she would love to become a developmental psychologist. I asked her why and she told me that she needs to find out why people go so many different ways in life and, with her education, she may be able to help them.

She told me that the Yankees have always been her team and C.C. Sabathia inspires her. He had been to the Boys and Girls Club quite a few times. She also told me that Derek Jeter is her favorite player because he is so handsome.

Margaret concluded by telling me that “this night will stay with me forever.”

Weekends with Ray on ESPN 1050 Deportes. Saturday and Sunday 12-2pm. Read Ray on Newsmax.