BBWAA dinner a memorable one.
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- January
- 27
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The 85th annual New York BBWAA dinner was this evening at the Hilton in Manhattan. It was a great evening.
The head table included Denny McLain, Ryan Braun, Bob Melvin, Jake Peavy, Jimmy Rollins, Johnny Damon, Joe Girardi, Joba Chamberlain, Omar Minaya, Brian Cashman, Bobby Murcer, Alex Rodriguez, Yogi Berra, Craig Biggio, Goose Gossage, Billy Wagner, Jeff Wilpon, Dick Williams, Willie Randolph, Dustin Pedroia, C.C. Sabathia and Luis Tiant.
Damon received the Joan Payson award for community service, specifically his work with the Wounded Warrior Project.
A wounded Iraq veteran who now attends NYU, U.S. Army Captain Tony Odierno, was on hand to present Damon the award and the young man, who lost an arm, made a terrific speech about Damon’s generosity. When Damon reached the podium, he was nearly in tears then spoke eloquently about how important it is to support our troops. Damon’s father served in Vietnam and his emotions about the subject are genuine.
It was a great moment.
Ryan Braun and Jimmy Rollins handled themselves very well when they received their awards. Willie Randolph was actually funny, a big departure for him. Bobby Murcer received an award for his courage from Joe Girardi. The new manager of the Yanks made a nice speech and the crowd gave Murcer a standing ovation. Bobby looks great 13 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
Yogi was amusing (as always) when he presented A-Rod with his MVP award. “You’re gonna win some more of these,” he said. “You’re pretty good.”
Denny McClain was hilarious and Goose Gossage seems so thrilled about the Hall of Fame. McLain and Tiant were given an award in memory of their great 1968 seasons.
Joba received a big hand from the crowd. Brian Cashman gave him the “Toast of the Town” award and Cash was fired up talking about Joba his potential. During a brief speech,Joba told Eric Wedge to keep the bugs away next time the Yankees go to Cleveland.
Hal Steinbrenner was supposed to be there but canceled at the last second. Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal was there to represent Yankee ownership.
Along with Cashman and Girardi, the Yankees had several people there including Jean Afterman, Stick Michael, Lonn Trost, Jason Zillo, Mike Margolis and Jason Latimer. It was nice of them to support our dinner. Chapter chairman Dan Graziano of the Star-Ledger did a fine job as the master of ceremonies and kept the program moving.
I had a chance to meet several readers who were on hand. Tickets for the dinner are expensive but it’s a memorable evening if you’re a baseball fan.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, January 27th, 2008 at 11:12 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
sounds like it was a good time Pete!
hey everyone else, off topic but it looks like Bedard to the Mariners is a done deal – from baseball musings:
“Adam Jones is not in the lineup tonight for his winter league game. This time, it really appears to be the sign that Jones is headed to Baltimore
Jones did not mince words when he spoke to a reporter from Diario Panorama in Venezuela today. We have a relationship with the reporter and paper and they have graciously supplied us with quotes from the interview with Jones.
“I received a call from Seattle saying that is no more playing for me and I can’t do anything about that,” Jones said. “I leave tomorrow morning…It sucks. I want to play. This is Game 4 of the finals and I really want to be there for my team, but it’s something that all the guys understand. I really want to play, but I can’t.”
On the actual deal itself: “(Bill Bavasi) called me yesterday and told me the news. I’ve got to go to Baltimore tomorrow morning and handle things there. I’m the centerpiece of the deal on the Mariners side. It’s an honor to get traded for such a highly talented pitcher as Bedard is. He’s one of the best. Last year he finished up as arguably one of the top candidates for the Cy Young. He’s that good, so for me it’s an honor. You know, I like Seattle, but if I am in Baltimore, as I think now I am, I’m going to embrace it and have the best time of my life in Major League Baseball.”
Thanks to the readers who pointed out these two stories. Bedard gives the Mariners a top notch front of the rotation starter, and I suspect Bedard-Hernandez-Washburn to make the Mariners one of the top rotations in the AL this season. Of course, this leaves a hole in the outfield. However, it’s easier to fill that hole than find a number one starter.”
I so wish I could have been there.
Pete,
How did Damon look?
In shape?
Thanks for the report Pete. Sounds like it was a great evening.
Yogi was amusing (as always) when he presented A-Rod with his MVP award. “You’re gonna win some more of these,†he said. “You’re pretty good.â€
Gotta love Yogi! Too funny!
“My son was home watching The Devil and Daniel Webster tonight ,starring his favorite actress Jennifer Love Hewitt.”
-George Steinbrenner
When I’m outta school and have a good job I wanna try to go to that. It sounds like it is a blast, thanks for the report Pete.
Wonder what happened to Hank. Bet this was the only time he could schedule an interview with Good Housekeeping Magazine. Keep an eye out for that one folks.
Jon Heyman reported tonight on SI.com that Don Mattingly reduced his role with the Dodgers because he separated from his wife. Heyman is a complete slimeball. Funny how every other reporter stated “family reasons” in their story, but Heyman dishes the dirt on Donnie’s marriage disguised in a backhanded compliment to Mattingly’s coaching skills. Because, you know, his marriage is pivotal to the story as a whole. Heyman’s a good reporter, but ethics-wise, he’s the lowest common denominator, and that’s no secret in baseball circles.
why should john heyman keep donnie’s marriage troubles a secret.
it’s just another good reason the yanks didn’t hire him this year.
OK, upon further review, the Daily News reported Mattingly’s separation first. My bad. But Heyman has done some scummy things in his travels, and I still think it was unnecessary for him to salaciously report it.
“Family reasons” seemed to work for 99.99 percent of the other reporters, including this blog. Heyman, however, thinks differently. Par for the course with him.
It was good seeing you.
I had a great time tonight.
I loved the line when I said I loved your blog, you joked I was the only one.
lol.
Did they also honor Denny McLain for all of the people he’s swindled of their life savings by plundering their 401k’s? With his track record it won’t be long until he’s back in jail.
are they avaliable for autographs there?
Everyone mentioned “family reasons” because that was the official party line at the time. But since then, I think everyone’s gone on to report about the separation.
Any reporter worth their salt won’t just leave it at “family reasons, so lay off Heyman.
I heard days ago that he was separating from his wife. It isn’t new news.
Reporting the salacious details of salacious reporting is just as scummy, JTG.
What, exactly, makes it more noble than gossiping? Rhetorical question, of course. Nothing.
Basura,
Yes they did. Here’s an article on the dinner with Damon headlining. Sharpshooters A-rod and Joba got in a couple of zingers. Love the quote from Jimmy Rollins about his mama.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3218378
Was Torre there or is he recovering from surgery? He got a loooongevity award. Don’t know if it for service or for sessions with beat writers.
Basura is right with his assessment of McLain. Talented pitcher for a few years, by all accounts a funny guy but a real slimeball crook. Bad job by the BBWAA inviting him.
Pete – Did Denny give you any betting tips on the Super Bowl?
Joe Torre was in China doing promotional work for the Dodgers playing pre season games there.
Johnny may not be the best player around, but I like him b/c he always seems so genuine.