How Underrated is Didi Gregorius?

The title is a pretty straight-forward question, just how underrated is the Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius? I’m not talking about just on the field either, I’m talking about off the field as well. How damn lucky did the New York Yankees get when they made that trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Detroit Tigers a few seasons back bringing Gregorius to the Bronx? Do they even know how lucky they are with the acquisition? If the organization doesn’t they will after they get done reading this post I assure you.

Let’s start with what is quantifiable, the on-the-field version of Sir Didi. Gregorius is having another great season here in the Bronx for the Yankees and no one can notice because of the monster home run after monster home run from Aaron Judge this season. Quietly Didi has knocked Yankees great and former captain Derek Jeter from the Yankees record books here in 2017 with his 25^th home run of the season, most ever by a Yankees shortstop in a single season. Didi has always been an absolute wizard defensively and is slowing showing more and more power with every passing season with the Yankees making him one of the most valuable assets that New York has every single game. Imagine if Didi hadn’t missed the first three weeks of the season with a shoulder injury, he may have 30 home runs, 100 RBI and still be pushing an on-base plus slugging over .800. If it weren’t for Judge the Yankees shortstop would be their MVP here in 2017, and it wouldn’t be much of a discussion.

Off the field the Yankees shortstop runs a charity and organization called DIDIsDEEDs helping those in need and generally doing good deeds around New York City as the name implies. Didi has been seen handing out free tickets to Yankees games on the subway and even in the CN Tower this season as a part of DIDIsDEEDs meaning the left-hander fits the mold of a Yankee off the field as well. Looking for your next Yankees captain, Didi may fit the mold. I know he didn’t come through the system and I know the captain-ship would be handed to Judge or Brett Gardner first but I’m just saying that Didi wouldn’t be a bad choice for the job either. Didi bleeds Yankees pinstripes and represents the team and the organization very well, on and off the field.

Didi for Captain, 2018. Flame me below in the comments section.

Quick Hit: New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund and Shady Dealings

There’s be’s some shady dealings going on here in the Bronx and I don’t likes it. In all seriousness though and as close to grammatically correct as I can get there really are some shady dealings apparently happening and being exposed when it comes to the “New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund.” The Yankees created this charity after the organization caught heat for taking public park land to build the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx with the promise of the team distributing millions of dollars in grants, sports equipment and tickets to the local community organizations in the Bronx. Apparently that isn’t what is happening in all reality.

The New York Times released a report this week stating that this fund has been lacking oversight since its creation and the money has not been distributed where it should be going. The word “corruption” wasn’t used but if it looks like a duck and it sounds like a duck… it’s corruption.

Between the years of 2008 and 2015 only 30% of the funding from the program has gone to an organization which is in the same ZIP code as Yankee Stadium or its four bordering zip codes. Instead the money has been allocated to wealthier and less affected areas of the Bronx.

This has nothing to do with the team really. The team itself and owner Hal Steinbrenner probably have little to nothing to do with the fund as it was merely a legal obligation for getting the stadium built but still. This looks terrible on the team and the organization, especially when almost 40% of the people living in the same zip code of the Bronx as the stadium resides in are under the poverty line. That money, if it went where it was intended, could do some real good in the Bronx and its surrounding areas.

Maybe something like this will make the money be allocated where it is supposed to go. One can only hope anyway. 

Speaking of Alex Rodriguez… A Gift Bomb… From A Rod

We spoke about Alex Rodriguez and his retirement from Major League Baseball this morning as I asked the question “Why does no one believe Alex that he’s really retired?” Well this evening as many of you are headed home from your jobs, at home preparing meals for your families or simply headed into work to start your day I wanted to bring a little good news to the site and that good news and charity comes from Mr. Rodriguez himself. According to reports the former Yankees third baseman and designated hitter gave the University of Miami a donation and gift in the sum of $500,000 thus establishing the Graduate Entrepreneurship and Innovation Endowed Fund.

The fund, which I will not be typing out ever again so I will shorten it to the GEIE fund…. Because wow the English language doesn’t make it easy on you some days, is designed to support new co-curricular programs for participants in the school’s Miami Executive MBA for Artists and Athletes program.

In recognition for the award the school built a courtyard within the School of Business complex and have name aptly name it the Alex Rodriguez Courtyard. Here’s a direct quote from Alex during the courtyard ceremony that took place on February 17th:

 “As an athlete and an entrepreneur, I am thrilled to help the School of Business create unique initiatives around innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the Executive MBA program for artists and athletes,” said Rodriguez. “It’s my hope that these initiatives will encourage athletes and others to explore their own entrepreneurial path outside what they are exposed to in the classroom.”

The fund is designed to help enrich workshops that help young students in the entrepreneurship, negotiation, multinational leadership, family business and wealth management fields. Kudos, Alex. Kudos, indeed. 

Press Release: Joey Chestnut & the Trenton Thunder

Joey Chestnut, NJ 101.5's Bill Spadea to Participate in Trenton Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship

The participants for the second annual World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship at ARM & HAMMER Park on Saturday, September 24 have been set by Major League Eating, the Thunder announced today.

The field includes the world's top competitive eater and defending champion, Joey Chestnut, leading a field of 13 participants. Three of the top five eaters in Major League Eating will attempt to dethrone Chestnut as the Pork Roll Eating Championship of the world as will local media personality, Bill Spadea.

Bill Spadea, a long time fan of Pork Roll, is the morning show host on New Jersey 101.5 and the lead anchor for Chasing News which airs on Fox television affiliates in New York and Philadelphia.

The full list of participants for the Trenton Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship are below (Name, Major League Eating Ranking, Hometown):

1. Joey Chestnut, #1, San Jose, CA
2. Carmen Cincotti, #4, East Windsor, NJ
3. Gideon Oji, #5, Morrow, GA
4. Geoffrey Esper, #7, Oxford, MA
5. Eric Booker, #15, Selden, NY
6. Brian Dudzinsky, #17, Phoenix, AZ
7. Crazy Legs Conti, #26, New York, NY
8. Larell Marie Mele, #31, Long Pond, PA
9. William Myers, #35, Allentown, PA
10. Micah Collins, #37, Drexel Hill, PA
11. Kevin Ambs, NR, Lafayette Hill, NJ
12. Dimitry "The Ukraine Train" Shchupak, NR, Langhorne, PA
13. Bill Spadea, NR, Princeton, NJ

The Trenton Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship will take place on Saturday, September 24 from 12-4pm at ARM & HAMMER Park. For tickets and information on the fun and games happening during the festival, visit www.EatPorkRoll.com.

Quick Hit: HOPE Week Returns for 8th Consecutive Season

Helping Others Persevere & Excel, better known as HOPE Week. Hope Week is the week that the New York Yankees organization gives back and showcases charities and organizations that are making a difference in the community and in the world. For the last seven seasons New York has honored these organizations at Yankee Stadium and abroad using a various number of methods and this season will be no different as HOPE Week returns for its eighth consecutive season in the Bronx. This season will also mark the sixth consecutive year that the organization will get a head start on things by honoring a Tampa area organization during Spring Training.

On March 18, also known as TODAY, the Yankees will announce HOPE Week officially with a pregame ceremony at George M. Steinbrenner Field before their 6:35 pm ET game with the Baltimore Orioles. At the ceremony the team will honor Tampa’s chapter of Ainsley’s Angels, a national running organization that builds awareness for America’s special needs community and its members through events that focus on their inclusion.

Ainsley’s Angels was founded in 2008 and the running enthusiasts raise funds by running and pushing along special needs riders in wheel chairs they call chariots. The organization has chapters in 25 different states and has seen several members run coast-to-coast with their riders to raise money and awareness for the organization.

HOPE Week will run from June 6 through June 10 at Yankee Stadium and all across New York in 2016. All of the minor league affiliates for the Yankees will also hold their own HOPE Weeks allowing the program to reach five additional cities and touch 25 more lives and hearts. Evil Empire though, right Boston?

What if Alex Rodriguez Ties and/or Passes Babe Ruth in 2016?

This time last year every media outlet, every camera, every microphone and every person’s full attention was on Alex Rodriguez for all the wrong reasons. Alex was preparing for his first full season in the Major Leagues since missing all of 2014 with a steroids related drug suspension and was also preparing to not only tie but pass Willie Mays for fourth place on the all-time home runs list for MLB. The drama only started in March of 2015 but this time around the attention will be on Alex for a different set of reasons. Can he be a leader in the Yankees clubhouse? Can he mentor the young guns the Yankees are currently stockpiling on the roster and can he come close to matching the production he put out in 2015? And in the same breathe what will happen if and when Alex ties and passes former Yankees great Babe Ruth?

I pose the question because the Yankees and Alex had a bit of a debate, let’s call it a debate anyway, over his $6 million home run trigger bonus when he tied Mays on the all-time list. The Yankees refused to pay Alex the money for reasons that have been beat into the ground more times than we’d all like to remember or admit and in the end the team and Alex decided to donate a portion of the money to a charity of Alex’s choice to settle the discussion. Will there be a peaceful resolution this time around or will Alex want the money that was written into his contract?

I don’t pretend to know the current financial situation that Alex is in after all the legal fees he accumulated and such but you would have to think that he could still “use” an easy $6 million in his bank account. The problem here, and I mentioned this last year as well, is that he set a precedence last season when he agreed to donate the money. In the eye of an outsider that seems like Alex admitted at least some wrongdoing or guilt in the situation while allowing himself to forfeit the money. What makes him any less “wrong” or “guilty” or any more “worthy” of the money this time around just because he seemingly turned his life around and his career both on and off the field?

For all I know the Yankees may simply write the check and not bat an eye lash but if the history of the situation is any indicator of the future I just can’t see that happening. I may be exaggerating a little bit but it seems like the whole organization would stop and bend down in front of you to pick up a nickel so imagine what they would do for $6 million in change? I can see another fight on the way and it’s going to come down to whether the Yankees want to get out “Yankee Way’d” by Alex Rodriguez again or not. 

Trenton Thunder Charities Award Grants to Three Local Non-Profits

The Thunder are pleased to announce that it has awarded grants to three locally based non-profit organizations through the 2015 Thunder Charities Community Grant Program.

The following organizations are receiving grants:

Organization Program Grant Amount Henry J. Austin Health Center Asthma Education $2,000 Womanspace, Inc. Children's Services $1,500 Eden Autism Services P.O.S. Systems Training $1,000

TOTAL = $4,500

2015 marks the fourth year of the Thunder Charities Community Grant Program and has awarded $36,150 to charities in the region. The Thunder has donated over $5.7 million in goods, services and monetary donations to community organizers in its 22-year history.

"We're thrilled to continue to support outstanding non-profits in our community through this program," said Community Relations Manager Vince Marcucci. "Each year we look to support initiatives like the ones that the Henry J. Austin Health Center, Womanspace, Inc. and Eden Autism Services have put together."

The asthma education program at the Henry J. Austin Health Center conducts educational workshops for coaches and athletics trainers from schools, recreational and travel teams in Mercer County. The workshops will be conducted at various locations throughout the county and will aid the training of at least 100 coaches, parents and student-athletes in asthma awareness, its symptoms and will provide participants with educational resources and references. For more information on the Henry J. Austin Health Center visit:www.henryjaustin.org,

The Children's Services program at Womanspace, Inc., supports children who have been exposed to the emotional and physical trauma in the home. Additional information about Womanspace, Inc. and their programs can be found at: www.womanspace.org.

Eden Autism Services will use their grant money to purchase point of sale systems to train students with autism the skills required for meaningful employment upon graduation from The Eden School. The systems will enable students to practice skills such as clocking into a job, ringing up a merchandise purchase or taking inventory. Learn more about Eden Autism Services at: www.edenautism.org.

The 2016 season, the 23rd in franchise history, will begin at ARM & HAMMER Park on April 7 when the Thunder host the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) at 7:00 p.m. Groups, season tickets, Pic-A-Plans and mini plans for the 2016 season are on sale now atwww.TrentonThunder.com or by calling 609-394-3300.

E:60 Story “The Family Business” Selected a Top Story in 2015

ESPN E:60 Segment "The Family Business" Selected As One Of The Top Three Stories of 2015

Thunder 1B Greg Bird and Bat Dog Derby pose for an ESPN camera on the field before Opening Day 2015. (Dave Schofield)
From December 24-31, ESPN ran its E:60 Top Stories of the year program and "The Family Business," chronicling the three generations of Thunder Bat Dogs, Chase, Derby and Rookie was selected as one of the top three.

The E:60 segment was first broadcast on Tuesday August 11 to a national audience on ESPN.

The story was conceived by ESPN E:60 Producer Matt Rismiller, who spent five full days filming at ARM & HAMMER Park and at the Bat Dogs' training facility, The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Shelly's School For Dogs in Millstone, NJ. The crew was given all-access passes to the ballpark to tell the story of the lives of Chase, Derby & Rookie and the relationships of fathers & sons with the game of baseball.

"The Family Business" was told through the eyes of Derby and narrated by Bob Peterson of PIXAR. The Academy Award Nominated Writer, Director and Voice Actor has been part of many of PIXAR's box office hits, including Mosters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Toy Story 3 and UP! Peterson co-wrote, co-directed and voiced the main character Dug the Dog in UP!

Thunder players Greg Bird, Taylor Dugas and Fred Lewis were each featured in the piece in addition to several front office members.

The Thunder have seen incredible response to "The Family Business" from all over the United States via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter.

Fans can see the E:60 video piece by clicking here.

Thunder fans will have their next chance to see world-famous Bat Dogs Derby and Rookie in action on Opening Night, Thursday April 7when the Thunder host the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) at 7:00pm. Groups, season tickets, Pic-A-Plans and mini plans for the 2016 season are on sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com or by calling 609-394-3300.


The Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, play in the 12 team Eastern League. The Thunder have drawn over 8.8 million fans to ARM & HAMMER Park over 22 years and have won the three major awards that Minor League Baseball teams can win; the Johnson Trophy for the "Nation's Best Franchise" (2005), the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion (2003) and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (1998, given by Baseball America). The team has given back over $5.7 million worth of goods, services and monetary donations through Trenton Thunder Charities, under the Grand Slam We Care Foundation umbrella. The Thunder can be found online at trentonthunder.com, facebook.com/trentonthunder, twitter.com/trentonthunder and onyoutube.com/AATrentonThunder.

Trenton Thunder Press Release: Thunder Fans Make Holiday Wishes Come True

The 11th annual Trenton Thunder Gift of Baseball program, giving fans the chance to share the experience of cheering on the hometown team with underprivileged families in our community, wrapped up on Wednesday.

For each Season Ticket, Pic-A-Plan and Mini Plan purchased from November 23 through December 23, the Thunder provided ticket packages for families in the Holiday Gift Outreach program run by the Children's Home Society of New Jersey to attend a 2016 Thunder game.

"We're thrilled to support a great organization like the Children's Home Society of New Jersey with this program," said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. "Our fans deserve a big thank you for their participation."

This year the Gift of Baseball program provided 944 tickets to CHSofNJ, the most in the history of the program. Since its inception in 2005, the Gift of Baseball program has helped the Thunder donate 7,924 tickets to CHSofNJ.

The Children's Home Society of New Jersey provides at-risk children and their families with a range of services that empower them to achieve their potential. They are child-oriented, family focused, community based and outcome-oriented.

The 2016 season, the 23rd in franchise history, will begin at ARM & HAMMER Park on April 7 when the Thunder host the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) at 7:00 p.m. Groups, season tickets, Pic-A-Plans and mini plans for the 2016 season are on sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com or by calling 609-394-3300.

Zack Greinke to Donate 1% of Salary to Charity

greinke has agreed to donate 1 pct of yearly salary to dbacks charity

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 11, 2015

Thank you to MSN Sports who bring us a little motivation and "feel good" to start out our Wednesday morning. Zack Greinke recently signed a monster deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth $206 million over the next six years. For those without a calculator that's roughly $34 million per season thanks to Tony LaRussa, DBacks GM Dave Stewart and Greinke's right arm. Greinke is set for life but that doesn't mean he is done giving back.

Greinke has agreed to give 1% of his salary to the Arizona Diamondbacks charity every single season he is with the team. If I did the math right that will be a $343,000 donation to the charity annually.

Quick Hit: Roger Clemens to be Honored by The Sports Museum

The Sports Museum will be holding their 14^th annual “The Tradition” this year on December 2^nd and will be honoring a very special guest and former member of the New York Yankees, Roger Clemens. Alongside Clemens, who will be receiving his award from Red Sox radio voice announcer Joe Castiglione, will be Danny Ainge, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Richard Seymour, Gerry Cheevers and Don Rodman.

Too much Boston for my taste but Clemens was a member of the Yankees and a good Yankee, on the field of course, so I figured I would bring you the particulars in case you were interested. Enjoy

When: December 2, 2015

Where: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts

Cost: Reserved seating is $300 and general admission is $200 with net proceeds benefiting The Sports Museum.

More information can be found at www.sportsmuseum.org or by contacting Renee Quinn at rquinn@sportsmuseum.org (617-624-1231).

Mariano Rivera Honored by Latino U College Access

The former New York Yankees legend and long-time closer Mariano Rivera, along with his wife Clara, were honored this month by Latino U College Access. Latino U is a non-profit organization that provides guidance and services to Latin Students who are the first in their respective families to attend college. This was Latino U’s third annual event and benefit and the third time they handed out their Community Partner Award.

Here is a quote from the event by Latino U College Access founder Shirley Acevedo Buontempo:

"We are honored to present Mr. and Mrs. Rivera with the Community Partner award for their support of our scholars. The Mariano Rivera Foundation is dedicated to working today to build a better tomorrow, and that aligns beautifully with Latino U's mission to increase college enrollment and completion rates among Latino youth to ensure the success of future generations."

Visit www.latinoucollege.org for more information on Latino U. The Mariano Rivera Foundation website can be found at www.marianoriverafoundation.org.

Quick Hit: Babe Ruth Returns to Yankee Stadium

George Herman Ruth, but you can call him The Babe, retired after the 1935 season with the Boston Braves. We all know he was once a member of the Boston Red Sox but will always be remembered as a member of the New York Yankees. Babe Ruth would return to the house that he built, Yankee Stadium, on this day in 1943 for an exhibition game marking the first time he set foot in the stadium since leaving the Yankees.

The exhibition game was played for the Red Cross between the Yank-Land Club, which was a combination of former Yankee and Indians players, against the Cloudbusters, a U.S. Navy team from the Chapel Hill Naval Pre-Flight School based at the University of North Carolina.

The retired Yankee outfielder appeared as a pinch hitter in his only plate appearance and was walked by 25 year old Navy pilot trainee and Boston Braves right-hander Johnny Sain. The servicemen would beat the former players 8-5.

Independence Day Eve & Potential A-Rod Compromises

EDIT: The New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez have agreed to donate $3.5 million to various charities to end the dispute. Bravo to both sides, bravo.

While many were preparing for their Independence Day cookouts and trips to see the fireworks Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports was reporting that the New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez were discussing a solution to the $6 million bonus the team may or may not owe Rodriguez.  While this may seem like an original idea to solve a problem and avoid a grievance it's not, I had this idea back in April. Now while I admit was probably not the first to come up with this idea I haven't seen it put on paper before I had it and I think that counts for something.

On April 28th I asked the question whether Alex's milestones were marketable or not, SEEN HERE, and again brought up the idea of donating the money to a charity on June 17th almost three weeks later.

Representatives from the Yankees, Rodriguez and the MLB Players Union have stated that while a deal is not considered close the group has made "quiet progress" in coming to an agreement that could redirect the money "owed" to Alex. The early details of the decision would have the $6 million, and only this $6 million not the next milestone for trying Babe Ruth at 714 home runs, divided and spread across charities hand-chosen by both Hal Steinbrenner and Rodriguez.

This deal could come together rather quickly or it could completely fall apart, that is the bad thing about this deal and how sensitive any agreement would be. I guess you'll have to stay tuned but I will say this either way: I'm glad that Alex did the right thing and continued his PR makeover and I'm also appreciative that the Yankees are willing to avoid more distractions and turmoil with one of their players that is so valuable to the team in 2015.

While We Wait: The Legacy of Determination

The Legacy of Determination: Chris Scandaglia’s fight against ALS

The original post can be seen HERE

Baseball has always been a game of passion and hard work. On the field, players defy the human imagination with their feats of glory. However on the field accomplishments can only go so far. Life off the field brings about greater challenges and often even greater outcomes.


Chris Scandaglia of Staten Island is one of the great human beings whose work off the field is greater than the mind can comprehend. Scandaglia, an insurance professional for Allstate, has dedicated the better part of eight years to charity work. The charity he fights for is ALS, (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) commonly known to the world as Lou Gehrig’s disease. However to Scandaglia, the disease is commonly known as the illness that took his grandfather’s life nearly 23 years ago.

Alex Rodriguez , widow Joanna Chiarulli , baby Nicholas, Robinson Cano, and Chris (Courtesy of Chris Scandaglia)

“I was nine when it happened,” said Scandaglia, referring to his grandfather’s death on December 26th1990, the day after Christmas. “I looked up to my grandfather and always wanted to honor him. This charity is the perfect way I can honor his legacy.”


Scandaglia began the charity in 2006 after discussing with his boss at a previous job ways to improve sales.


“I suggested that for a month, we donate one dollar of every insurance quote made to raise money for ALS,” said Scandaglia. “My boss said go for it and we did it.”


Many of Scadaglia’s co-workers got involved that year and an ironic amount of money was donated.

“We earned $2130 in 2006, the same number as Lou Gehrig’s 2130 consecutive games played streak,” recalled Scandaglia.

From there the charity grew. Scandaglia wanted to do more for ALS research and came up with the idea to help families in need. In 2010, Scandaglia continued his work by holding a fundraiser dinner in honor of his grandfather. It was then he got the idea to make the dinner as popular as possible. He began to contact different agents, including those from the New York Yankees, to see if they would be willing to attend the dinner. As it turned out, the Yankees brought their 2009 World Series trophy to the event. However that wasn’t the only time the Yankees contributed to Scandaglia’s event.


“I made calls and ended up getting some great responses,” said Scandaglia. “Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano came to the dinner in 2012. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.”


How does someone get famous Yankees like Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano to attend a fundraiser? According to Scandaglia, it takes “a lot of hard work and patience.” Scandaglia said Alex Rodriguez wouldn’t attend at first under he convinced A-Rod’s agent that it would be a good PR move to come.


It doesn’t matter how Rodriguez got there. What matters is the hard work Scandaglia puts into this charity. He does it by himself every year with no help from anyone.


“Sometimes my family thinks I’m crazy for spending the amount of time I do on this event,” said Scandaglia. “I know it’s worth it. I’m doing something that helps a lot of people.”


In 2012, Scandaglia decided to raise money for a family who suffered due to ALS. He found out Joanna Chiarulli of New York had lost her husband to ALS and sought to dedicate his fundraiser dinner for them.


“In 2012, we raised $10,310 for Joanna and her six month old son Nicholas,” Scandaglia said with a lot of pride in his voice. “It made me happy that the fundraiser was able to help them.”

Genevieve Morton, model Bill Hill husband of ALS wife who died, Yankee Lyle Overbay, Kelly daughter ALS, Scott son, ALS, Chris Scandaglia last 3 on right NY Yankee players Boone Logan, David Phelps, Chris Stewart (Courtesy of Chris Scandaglia)

A good amount of Yankees came to the 2013 event, including Boone Logan, Lyle Overbay, David Phelps and Chris Stewart. The 2013 event was in honor of the Hill family. Bill Hill lost his wife to ALS in on December 29th 2012. Scandaglia was thrilled the 2013 event raised $4612 and hopes the 2014 event will go just as well. There is a special reason why Scandaglia has high hopes for the upcoming event.


“The event for 2014 will be held on May 25, my grandfather’s birthday.” said Scandaglia. “I picked the day to honor hm because he was the reason I started this charity in the first place.”


Long Island Baseball Magazine encourages all of it’s viewers to attend this year’s fundraiser dinner on May 25th 2014 at Da Noi restaurant in Manhattan. More details on the event will be posted on Long Island Baseball Magazine’s website. The cost of the event is $125, with all proceeds going to families who have suffered from ALS. Long Island Baseball Magazine thanks Chris Scandaglia for his efforts and hopes all of the New York community will attend and support this great cause!


For anyone who wants to attend the event or has questions on the event, please contact Chris Scandaglia at CSFGEHRIG@aol.com or on twitter @ChrisScandaglia

Time for Alex To Do The Right Thing

Alex Rodriguez has been the bigger and the better person with about every hurdle and obstacle that has been thrown in front of him this season. Joe Girardi wanted to use Alex at first base and Rodriguez was more than okay with that. Rodriguez was placed at the bottom half of the Yankees lineup and you didn’t hear a peer out of the former All-Star. A Rod was delegated to DH only duties basically this season and took it as an opportunity to help himself and the team win ball games rather than throwing a hissy fit and threatening to retire (yes that was a jab at Jorge Posada). Alex has said all the right things and done all the right things in front of the cameras from cheering on his teammates from the bench to trying to answer every question he’s asked as honestly as he can be while still being politically correct, it is the Yankees way after all, but Alex has one more opportunity to “one-up” the Yankees and one more chance to be the good guy.

As we all know and either wrote about or read until we were blue in the face the New York Yankees aren’t going to and don’t feel like they owe Alex the $6 million milestone bonus that was written into a marketing contract for tying Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. The Yankees had 30 days to cut the check and they haven’t but the team may have come up with a middle ground that I suggested before he even hit the home run, donate the $6 million to a charity of his choice.

I don’t pretend to know Alex’s financial situation but you have to figure that he has made close to a billion dollars in his career with investments, player contracts, endorsements etc. He can’t be broke, legal fees and all he just can’t be. Alex can come out the good guy once again here and it can go a long way possibly into winning back some hearts and minds. Kobe Bryant won back the fans and the endorsements that followed and so can Rodriguez and it starts here. Alex is already winning here as the 45 day deadline for Alex to file a grievance for the non-payment has come and gone and Alex’s group of lawyers and handlers did not file the grievance. Now the team wants to donate the money, well they want to donate an undisclosed amount that is said to be less than $6 million, and I think Alex should bite the bullet and pull the trigger on it.

Alex wins, the Yankees win and the Boys and Girls Club of America (I’m guessing) definitely wins. I get that if he makes this deal now he would likely have to make the same deal if he ties Babe Ruth at 714 home runs (Alex currently has 666 home runs), Hank Aaron at 755 home runs and if he were to tie and pass Bonds at 762 home runs but you cross that bridge when you get there. You save a lot of face now and if this issue comes to fruition again in 2016 and 2017 at least you have some good will and moral standings to back you up the next time. Donate the money Alex, out “Yankee-Way” the Yankees. 

RiverDogs to Join in Boeing Salute

Club teams with local businesses to thank Boeing’s employees

CHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston RiverDogs, along with nearly 30 local businesses and friends, will help celebrate the more than 7,500 Boeing employees when the team hosts the rival Greenville Drive on Sunday, May 17, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The game will be billed as Boeing Employee Appreciation Day, and the first pitch slated for 5:05 pm.

In addition to another “Dog Day” at the park where fans may bring their four-legged friends, the day will include the standard and family-oriented Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission Kids Club Sunday, presented by Y102.5.

“The RiverDogs and the Charleston community are showing collectively its appreciation to the loyal Boeing employees for doing what many said couldn’t be done which was building Boeing-quality airplanes successfully and on time in South Carolina,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “The RiverDogs are proud to partner with members of the Charleston business community – including some who wish to remain anonymous – in providing a day of fun and entertainment for Boeing employees.”

Joining the RiverDogs as sponsors for the Boing Employee Appreciation Day are:

· Baker Motors

· Banks Construction

· The Beach Company

· Charleston Area Airport Authority

· Charleston County

· Charleston Hotel Association

· Charleston Visitors Bureau

· The Citadel

· Clemson Research

· Davis & Floyd

· Gordon Strauss Offices

· Hall’s Chophouse

· Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union

· InterTech Group

· Mickey Bakst

· MUSC

· Nexsen Pruet

· OL Thompson

· Pepsi

· Roper Hospital

· Santee Cooper

· SC Ports Authority

· Spirit Line Cruises

· TD Bank

· Trident CEO Council

· Trident Tech

Tampa Yankees Present: Fight Like a Kid!

Salvatore is three years old and loves cars & playing outside with his friends. He wants to become a firefighter when he grows up. He is a new big brother and loves his little sister very much. Salvatore was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and has been fighting hard to beat the disease.


To help support his family in this difficult time, the Tampa Yankees are donating 100% of the ticket proceeds from the Friday, May 1st home game to Salvatore's family. Gates will open at 6:00pm for the 7:00pmgame.


Salvatore's family & doctor are planning to bring him for that evening's home game to meet the team and throw out the ceremonial first pitch.


Reserved Tickets are $6 each and General Admission Tickets are $4 each and can be purchased online through TicketMaster or at the Steinbrenner Field Box Office.


Can't make the game, but still want to make a donation? Click here to go to Salvatore's GoFundMe page.


No donation is too small and will be greatly appreciated.


Click here for more information about Team Salvatore Fight Like a Kid Night.




Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to seeing you at Steinbrenner Field for
Team Salvatore Fight Like a Kid Night.

Yankees to Pay Education Costs for Both of Rafael Ramos’ Children

I know I am a couple days late on this but with the craziness of the holiday season I am playing catch up a bit on this and my other writing job, my apologies. George Steinbrenner’s Silver Shield Foundation is going to pay for the education of the children of murdered NYPD officer Rafael Ramos. Ramos and Wenjian Lui, who had no children, were brutally murdered in Brooklyn last week while in their patrol car. Steinbrenner’s foundation Chairman William G. Walters announced the foundation would pay for the educational costs early in the week.

Steinbrenner started the foundation 32 year ago and since the organization has paid for over 800 children of fallen servicemen and women to go to school. Ramos’ 13 year old son, Jaden, and son who is in college will have a free ride for as long as their education takes them and that is a heartwarming story despite the circumstances. By no means does this make up for, replace or help with the tragic event that occurred but it is one less thing to worry about for the family and sometimes you cannot put a price on piece of mind.

So Merry Christmas from the Evil Empire and the New York Yankees and our thoughts, prayers and warmest wishes go out to the families, friends and all those affected by this horrible act. 

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Please come back to New York David, you are the walking and talking model of the New York Yankees.