February 08, 2013
It’s been said that once the game of baseball draws you in it
never lets go, and that was certainly true for the more than 275
guests who attended the Seventh Annual Bullpen Winter Banquet at
the New York Athletic Club.
Photo gallery
Current and former St. John’s players and coaches mingled
with alumni and friends at this popular gathering that raised
nearly $50,000 to support the Red Storm Baseball Program.
“Tonight is a celebration of the traditions and history of baseball
at St. John’s,” remarked Athletic Director Chris Monasch ’81SVC.
“It celebrates the past by bringing back many of the former players
who are now alumni, and it helps us in the future as a fundraiser
as we look forward to the coming season.”
The event honored Robert K. Hirschfield ’70C, ’75GEd with the
Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than 30 years of coaching
high school and college baseball teams on Long Island. Recently
retired from college coaching, Hirschfield will soon begin his
second season as an on-air baseball commentator for St. John’s home
games.
“Even though I competed against St. John’s for over three decades,
I always had a fondness in my heart for the University,” he said.
“Not a day went by that I didn’t check out the scores to see how
they did and the results of their game. And now that I’m back doing
broadcasting of Red Storm home games, it’s like I’ve come full
circle. Receiving this award tonight is a great honor for me, and
just like everything else about St. John’s, it’s something I’ll
cherish forever.”
A
highlight of the evening was the appearance of special guest
Bernie Williams, former center fielder of the New York Yankees.
Following an outstanding 16 year baseball career, Williams embarked
on the next phase of his life by pursuing his second greatest
passion, playing acoustic and electric guitar. He and his All Star
Band played a number of original compositions, closing with a
memorable rendition of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”
During a spirited question and answer session with NBC News 4 New
York Sports Anchor Bruce Beck ’09HON, who served as Master of
Ceremonies, Williams acknowledged that his enjoyment of both
baseball and music began during childhood. He noted many
similarities between playing center field and performing on
stage.
“Baseball really taught me a lot about life,” he said. “I learned
very early that being well- prepared is very rewarding, and that I
could accomplish things if I worked hard. The game gave me the
skills to handle bad situations with dignity and good situations
with grace. And those lessons will always be with me. Whether
you’re stepping out onto a baseball field or up onto a stage, you
have to put yourself into a positive mind set to show what you can
do. I’ve learned that’s really what life is all about.”
When
the guests weren’t posing for photos with this Yankee legend or
tapping their feet to the vibrant sound of his guitar, they were
sharing stories and memories of their days at St. John’s. And not
surprisingly, most of those stories centered on baseball.
Now beginning his 13th year as Head Baseball Coach at St. Joseph’s
College, Randy Caden ’80SVC recalled what it was like as a
student-athlete who remained at the University as a coach after
graduation.
“I only got a moderate amount of playing time when I was on the
baseball team,” he said, “but I was invited to join the coaching
staff in 1980 and 1981. One of my most enduring memories of those
days was that I had an opportunity to go to the College World
Series as one of the coaches, and that’s something I’ll never
forget. It was a once in a lifetime thing. And that was when I got
my start in college coaching, something for which I’ll always be
grateful. The University has always been good to me, and so coming
to this event is like going back home.”
Like
most college baseball players, Anthony Fallacaro ’94SVC hoped to
play professionally after graduation. He was a talented catcher
with a promising future, but when an injury forced him to switch
from catching to playing first base, he began to consider other
career options. Fallacaro remained as an Assistant Coach at St.
John’s for a few years after graduation and then left to take a
position on Wall Street. But college athletics was in his blood,
and today he is enjoying life as Athletic Director at Post
University in Waterbury, CT.
“I’m still a big fan of St. John’s baseball,” he remarked, “and I
try to get out to at least one game every year. I’m great friends
with [current Head Baseball] Coach [Edward] Blankmeyer, and I don’t
think I’d be where I am today if I hadn’t worked as an Assistant
Coach for him. I’ll always feel a debt of gratitude for what St.
John’s did for me, and I’m always glad to come back and give back
to show my appreciation.”