Bronx, NY—Ray Negron began his lengthy career in baseball as batboy for the Yankees nearly 40 years ago. He is currently a community affairs adviser to the organization. During each baseball season, Negron travels with members of the team roster to visit with children at hospitals, schools, parks, even to barber shops and restaurants. In the past couple of years, children have received haircuts from C.C. Sabathia and been served meals by Curtis Granderson.
Although the Yankees’ season ended abruptly in October, Negron is traveling the area for good causes. On Saturday, November 17, and Monday, November 19, Negron made visits to two McDonald’s in the South Bronx to speak with residents of the borough and sign copies of his new best-selling book, “Yankee Miracles”. The book that interestingly reviews his life as a Yankees employee and friend of many of the iconic players was sold at a discounted price to make it more affordable. The two visits were planned and sponsored by a triad of Boricuas, Negron, Tony Rodríguez, owner of the two McDonald’s franchises and Julio Pabón, president of Latino Sports. Appropriately the visit on Monday night was at the store across the street from Yankee Stadium and on Puerto Rican Heritage Day.
The second event in which Negron is directly involved is a concert that will take place on Thursday, November 29, at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post. The concert is one of many local activities to raise funds for the relief of the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
The funds raised at this concert will primarily be used to fund the relief efforts of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill and Island Harvest, two reputable organizations on Long Island, where so much damage was done by the superstorm.
The location of the show in Brookville and the recipients of the monies raised has not prevented several Bronx natives from serving as the emcees of the event, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay and Chazz Palminteri, author and star of a Bronx Tail. The third emcee, also a local native will be Raúl Ibañez, star of the post-season for the Yankees.
The headline entertainers are award winning recording artist José Feliciano, Ciaran Sheehan, Broadway star of Phantom of the Opera, and Mike Delguidice & Big Shot.
Negron appealed for the public to support the fund raising to aid the victims of Sandy, “We are asking that people support this event and rally behind a most serious cause to help the people of New York who frantically need it in terms of food, clothing and whatever else we can by raising enough money through tickets and raffles. Now is the time for us to feel urgency to stick together as one.”
Anyone interested in attending the show or aiding the effort can go to the website- www.musicpowerny.com