DOUBLE HEADER AT THE HILTON
February 11, 2010
The baseball scene dominated the Hilton with a private breakfast held for Willie Mays, with key executives joining him from the San Francisco Giants. But the day wasn't nearly complete because the 88th annual baseball writers dinner took place 6 hours later.
Mays and Posey
This exclusive event would not have been possible without the coordination of two New York Giants historical groups, headed by Stuart Leeds and Bill Kent. While they are different organizations, they have the most important thing in common: remembering the Giants. In 1958, New York became San Francisco, but the enthusiasm continues. Major New York Giants fan, Gary Mintz, made it possible for me to attend.
The star of both affairs was catcher Buster Posey, National League's Rookie of the Year. Sitting down, he looked like a high school boy studying accounting. At the breakfast, Willie signed dozens of the book "Willie Mays, the Life, the Legend", written by James S. Hirsch. The Giants 2010 championship trophy was on display.
Neukom
The Giants didn't only bring Mays. Also present were principal SF partners, Larry Baer and Bill Neukom, General Manager Brian Sabean, and Staci Slaughter, Sr. V. P. of Communications. The big surprise, certainly for me, was the appearance of Joe Amalfitano, handling player development. I hadn't seen him in 35 years and it was his first trip to New York in many years. A great friend!
Amalfitano
As for my own nostalgia, I met Joe in 1957 when he was a star shortstop for the New York Giants AA affiliate, the Dallas Eagles, in the Texas League. He helped me break in as a coach and it was a thrill to wear the Giants uniform. That team won the championship with ease. At third base was Tony Taylor, and one of the pitchers was Ernie Broglio. AND....... there was an unknown kid at first base named Willie McCovey!!! Without the Eagles star catcher, Nick Testa, a dear friend to this day, I would never have gotten the chance to be on the field.
The breakfast ended at around 11:30 while over 500 fans lined the halls outside just waiting to get a glimpse of the Award and Mays.
At 6 PM( after sleeping in the Hilton cafe for 3 hours), the second part of this fine day began. The formal affair once again featured a star-studded dais as Chapter Chairman Mark Feinsand handled the MC duties, filling in with some humorous introductions.
At one table near me, the same SF Giants attended. A double header! Willie Mays again attracted the most attention.
Some members of the dais included Sandy Alderson, Joey Votto, Brian Cashman, Lou Piniella, Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, Bernie Williams, Josh Hamilton, and at the usual right end, Phil Pepe, who again helped make this evening possible.
Williams and Pete Caldera handled the music as the band played "Squeeze Play". Bernie played the National Anthem on his guitar!
There was a particularly fine word expressed for the late George Steinbrenner. His son said "If more than 2 people knew about his contributions, it wasn't a charity."
Hamilton, Cano, R. A. Dickey, Hughes, Lincecum
The Sid Mercer-Dick Young "Player of the Year" award went to Josh Hamilton, Texas
The Joe DiMaggio "Toast of the Town" award went to Robinson Cano, NY Yankees.
The "You've Gotta Have Heart" award, in lasting memory of Arthur and Milton Richman, was given to R. A. Dickey, NY Mets,.
The Ben Epstein-Dan Castellano "Good Guy" award went to the Yankees' Phil Hughes.
The Babe Ruth award for postseason MVP went to the Giants Tim Lincecum, who is winning almost everything in sight for the last 2 years.
Black, Hernandez
Bud Black, San Diego, was voted as the National League Manager of the Year.
Seattle's Felix Hernandez captured the coveted Cy Young award.
Moe addressing the Giants fans
It was another fine evening, having personally missed only one year in my last 40. The two huge screens worked fantastically for over 1000 in attendance.
Graphics by Eddie Resner
Eddie Resner for the Allied Investment Group