Jazz Chisholm came to Community School 55 on Thursday morning to give the children words of true encouragement.
I have been coming to this school for over twenty years with players like Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano and Anthony Volpe and Gleyber Torres. All wonderful moments that most will never forget.
Jazz gave these kids one of those moments. Honestly speaking he may have been the best ever. The only one that was probably better was when George Steinbrenner paid a surprise visit in 2004 and had Principal Luis Torres crying because of how important the Boss told him he was to the kids and the community.
To this day the letter of love from the Boss is screwed into the wall in the main hallway for all to see when they enter the building.
Jazz gave an inspirational and important speech about the fact that if he can make it in life then so can they. He talked about the fact that in this life they are just as important as anyone.
Jazz was accompanied by his agent and true friend Michael Rodriguez who seems to be more like a big brother than a business associate.
Omar Minaya who is a special assistant to the Yankees and was Baseball’s first Hispanic General Manager was also there to show the support that he has always given our inner-city neighborhoods.
Also present was John Rivera of the Cristian Rivera Foundation. He spoke about his beautiful son who John lost to a very rare brain cancer and how he is helping to try to find a cure through research.
All in all, it was a beautiful morning with the Yankees’ newest superstar who has an incredible love for all children.
He made every one of those kids feel like they are truly special. He also predicted a victory for that night and a special dedication to the children of CS 55.
Before Jazz left the building he stopped by the George Steinbrenner letter stared at it and then said… I wish I could have met that man!
Oh and by the way… the Yankees did win the game 10 – 1 Eastern Division Champs!