Archbishop Molloy coach Curran helped prepare New York Yankee Mike Jerzembeck to pitch in the majors

For over 50 years, Jack Curran helped to shape thousands of young men into baseball players that walked through the doors of Archbishop Molloy. During those 50-plus years, he sent countless numbers of players into professional careers other than baseball, but only two made the major leagues. One is current New York Mets outfielder Mike Baxter, the other is former New York Yankees pitcher Mike Jerzembeck.

Mike Jerzembeck

Jerzembeck, a member of the Yankees 1998 World Series Championship team, spoke with me regarding the influence of his high school coach on his development on and off the field through his teenage years.

The article recently appeared in the April 6 edition of the Times-Ledger newspapers in Queens.

"Yankee pitcher praises Coach Curran" - Nicholas Diunte - Times-Ledger Newspapers

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New York Mets pitcher Pedro Beato to give holiday pitching clinics in Queens and Manhattan

Pedro Beato, fresh off of his rookie season with the New York Mets, will be helping kids get back into baseball mode after all of the holiday festivities, leading a series of youth baseball clinics next week in Queens and Manhattan. Beato’s first stop next week will be right in his backyard of Ozone Park at the Five Tool Baseball Academy (100-02 Rockaway Blvd.) on Tuesday December 27th.

Pedro Beato giving pitching tips

Appearing as part of a two-day clinic, Beato will lead pitching instruction at the newly minted Queens training facility on Rockaway Blvd. The clinic will cover all aspects of pitching and hitting, as well as physical training in this intimate setting. The clinic is for children ages 9-18 and will run from 9am-3pm on Tuesday December 27th and Thursday December 29th. For more information, including pricing for the two-day clinic, call Giovanni Zapata at 917-373-2286.

In between the days of his clinic in Ozone Park, Beato is making a return appearance Wednesday December 28th at the 5th annual Lou DeMartino Memorial Christmas Baseball Clinic. The free clinic is hosted by the Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance and takes place at the John Jay College Gymnasium (899 Tenth Avenue) in Manhattan. Beato will appear for the second time at the clinic along with a pair of Archbishop Molloy grads turned prospects, Matt Rizzotti (Philadelphia Phillies) and Dennis O’Grady (San Diego Padres). Registration for the clinic is from 8am-9am, with the clinic running from 9am-1pm. To register in advance for the clinic, e-mail Tom Sylvester – tsylvester@gnysaa.org

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Archbishop Molloy grad Baxter could realize boyhood dream of playing for the New York Mets

Mike Baxter, who played under the legendary Jack Curran at Archbishop Molloy in Queens, is poised to replace Carlos Beltran on the Mets roster once he is traded. The 2002 Molloy grad was claimed off of waivers from the San Diego Padres last week after recovering from a spring training injury where he damaged ligaments in his left thumb after diving for a fly ball.

Since his signing, Baxter, the outfielder-first baseman was quickly promoted to Class AAA Buffalo from Class A Port St. Lucie after batting .438 in four games. Baxter didn't disappoint the Buffalo fans, swatting a home run in his first at-bat off of Scranton pitcher D.J. Mitchell.

The Whitestone native was excited about the possibility of playing with his hometown team. “I loved being with San Diego and I was disappointed at first, but then I was thrilled to learn I was claimed by the team I grew up rooting for. That was just fantastic."

Baxter made his major league debut as a September call-up in 2010, going 1-for-8, mostly as a pinch hitter. He was placed on the 40-man roster after his signing and could be first on the list to be recalled with Fernando Martinez and Kirk Nieuwenhuis on the disabled list.

More Info -
Baxter basking in big league call-up - New York Post
Meet Mike Baxter - Mets minor league blog
Queens native Baxter a hit with Triple-A Portland -  Dylan Butler

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