Ray Negron knows something about the Latino community and the athletes who play a role in sports. The award winning writer of children’s books and movie producer is a longtime community consultant with the New York Yankees, known on these pages writing a column for NYSportsDay.com that offers a human interest.
In other words, Negron has made an impact. Appropriate that Negron would co-host a two-hour radio show “Impact” on ESPN Deportes Radio that airs on the ESPN NewYork 1050 affiliate Network Sunday mornings from 11am-1pm Once heard on WPAT in New York, the show has moved up a notch.
The show is sponsored by Toyota of Manhattan and their ongoing programs at Bronx Community College in placing graduates in the job market.
This past Sunday he and co-host Felix DeJesus arrived and were ready after the NY Jets game aired on the same network.
“We are making an impact,” said Negron who keeps that busy schedule as a community consultant with the New York Yankees. His lifelong journey is well chronicled as the young man who met late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner by chance after spray painting a wall outside the old stadium in the Bronx.
His memoir, “Yankee Miracles” explains that chance meeting and has been an inspiration to many, and that includes the numerous youth groups he frequently visits in the community.
So this past Sunday, Negron went to work. The encounters with ballplayers, athletes from other sports, celebrities on film and stage, and those who make an impact are on the agenda.
John Hart, the President of Baseball Operations for the Atlanta Braves explained why his rebuilding team took a chance and signed former NY Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon to a free agent and one-year deal of $12.5 million.
“He throws a lot of innings,” said Hart via the phone lines. It was good radio and had an impact because, Colon, the 19-year veteran who has pitched 180 innings or more 12 times was the hot topic last week as the busy wheeling and dealing of the baseball offseason was official.
Because Negron has many insights about Colon, that made for more interesting conversation.
“I do the show in English,” Negron said. He believes in reaching an audience that will understand the values of subjects making an impact. Roberto Alomar, the 12-time All-Star and with the most Golden Gloves as a second baseman also called in.
Nelson Cruz followed. The home run hitter who hit 43 with the Seattle Mariners this season discussed his visit with Negron earlier this week at a school in the Washington Heights area of New York City.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon also appeared and he was a very animated guest.
Chazz Palminteri the actor, screenwriter and producer is a frequent guest. So there is that diversity which makes for a good program, and it helps that Negron has this history of building a solid working relationship with those in and out of the sports community.
In studio guest, Hector Camacho Jr. said, “There will be more to be told about my late father.” Camacho discussed the relationship with his dad, the former three-time champion and boxing Hall of Famer, and preparations for his next fight.
“That’s what we do,” Negron said. “We are making an impact.”
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