Produced by: Office of Communications, Institutional Advancement
February 11, 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.
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.”