Winkles managed the Angels in 1973, when Valentine suffered his career-altering injury while playing the outfield. Valentine explains how the injury changed both of their career trajectories.
While Bobby Valentine wasn’t in the race for the New York Mets or Yankees managerial positions, he will return to the baseball spotlight on Thursday, December 7, 2017, when he will be honored by the Italian American Baseball Foundation at Carmine’s Sports Bar and Restaurant in Brooklyn. The current Sacred Heart University athletic director will be celebrated during the foundation’s second annual fundraiser for his role as a global ambassador within the sport.
Bobby Valentine / N. Diunte
Carmine Gagnone, the owner of Carmine’s in Brooklyn where the fundraiser will take place, is also one of the organization's founding members. Speaking with Gagnone at his restaurant Sunday afternoon, he felt that Valentine’s record of community involvement made him a perfect choice to be recognized Thursday evening.
“Anybody I speak with, when they talk about Bobby Valentine, they say the work he does off the field is tremendous,” Gagnone said. “From 9/11 on, he was all over the place night and day.”
The nubile foundation was formed as the brainchild of Gagnone and Mint Pros founder Joe Quagliano as an opportunity to further the game of baseball in Italy through the establishment of baseball clinics and educational partnerships.
“We started the foundation about two years ago,” he said. “We want to eventually have baseball clinics in Italy, and we want to bring former and present major league players to run both clinics and tournaments. We hope we can offer good athletes [in Italy] a chance to get scholarships to play in the United States.”
Their inaugural fundraiser honored Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, who spent time as Team Italy’s hitting coach during the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Gagnone expressed how having a player of Piazza’s status support their initial efforts lent immediate credibility to the IABF’s mission.
“Having Piazza there helped tremendously,” he said. “We go to other events and they heard about us and what we do [just from Piazza appearing].”
This year’s event will have continued star power, with the list of confirmed attendees including current New York Mets and Team Italy outfielder Brandon Nimmo, as well as former Mets and Yankees stars John Franco, Jim Leyritz, and Rick Cerone. Brooklyn Cyclones Assistant General Manager Gary Perone will receive the IABF’s 2017 Executive of the Year award.
A limited amount of tickets remain for the November 7th, 2017 IABF Fundraiser. Each $500 ticket includes a cocktail hour from 6:30-7:30 PM, and then a two-hour dinner from 7:30-9:30 PM. For more information about the IABF, or to purchase tickets, visit their website, iabf.foundation
Sports Angels honored a true New York hero, former Mets player and manager Bobby Valentine with their 4th annual Inspiration Award last week at the University Club in Manhattan. Valentine is fondly remembered for his efforts as Mets manager in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, assisting in the community and helping to provide morale to the entire city. Valentine sparkled on the stage, mixing some of his baseball wit and humor with his genuine passion for helping others as he addressed the few hundred supporters in attendance.
Also honored for his philanthropic efforts was Global Excess Partners CEO Diarmuid Hogan. He is also the director of Boys Hope Girls Hope, an organization that provides assistance to promising youth living in at-risk family and community situations.
Sports Angels is a grassroots organization committed to helping youth benefit from the life lessons available through sports participation. They have raised over $250,000 since their inception in 2005. To find out more about Sports Angels and contribute to their cause, visit their website http://www.sportsangels.org
On September 20th Sports Angels will honor Bobby Valentine with the fourth annual Inspiration Award and also recognize corporate honoree Diarmuid Hogan of Global Excess Partners in a gala celebration at the University Club, 1 West 54th Street in New York City. This year's event is hosted by Emmy Award Winning sportscaster Len Berman and NY1's Jessica Abo. Other confirmed guests include former Brooklyn Dodgers Ralph Branca, Joe Pignatano, Yankee great Jeff Nelson and boxer Gerry Cooney. For more information on ordering tickets, visit the Sports Angels website or call the Sports Angels Event office at 212-243-3265.
