Ray Negron's Playball Weekly Blog

Ray Negron’s Stadium Tales

On Friday night, the greatest second baseman of all time and Hall of Famer, Roberto Alomar visited Yankee Stadium.

Robbie actually saved me a ticket so that we could do what he loves to do more than anything in the world, talk baseball. We talked about his team, the Blue Jays and we talked about analytics in baseball. I’m going to let you in on a secret, since Robbie was a little boy and his father Sandy was the Yankees second baseman, he has been a Yankee fan. Since Robbie lives in Tampa we get to watch the Yankees when they play the Blue Jays during spring training. The one young player that caught his fancy is the young second baseman Gleyber Torres.

Robbie thinks that this kid is the whole package. The footwork, the hand eye coordination and he has power. The fact that Gleyber is a natural shortstop, Robbie feels that Torres is making the transition to second base very well. If anyone would know it’s the greatest of all time. I told Roberto that I had spoken to Omar Vizque l about Torres and Omar just loves the kid. When you can get such a wonderful endorsement from the greatest double play combination in baseball history I guess you’re doing pretty well and this officially starts the Gleyber Torres era.

A BRONX TALE!

Chazz Palminteri also visited the Stadium on Friday and couldn’t have been more excited. Of the Hollywood and Broadway stars that visit the Yankees I would have to say that Chazz has to be the most knowledgeable of the game and I will also add, the biggest fan. The one ritual that I love about this man is that on every visit he loves to go to the highest level of the upper deck and find a father and his child and give them a signed baseball. It’s a reminder of him and his dad.
Chazz let me in on a secret, his play A Bronx Tale, is going to be making a giant adjustment. Just what that is I will not say at this time or else I will have to deal with Sonny. Stay Tuned.

A SWEET HEART!

Our prayers go out to my wonderful pal and baseball great Cecil Fielder. Cecil is having heart stem surgery this week. If you know Mr. Fielder than you know that he is a real good dude.

THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!

A special congratulations to Jordan DeLorenzo. Jordan has been serving our country in the United States Air Force and Friday he graduated from the Suffolk County Police Department. He will be joining his brother, my son Jon-Erik Negron, in the 6th precinct. Jordan’s dad Jerry is a retired NYPD. Naturally they are all big time Yankee fans.

THE PRICE OF FRIENDSHIP!

Carlos Beltran visited the Yankee clubhouse this past weekend. Throughout the years you have always heard about the class of this recently retired major league outfielder. One of Carlos’s best friends and a person that Carlos says is more like a brother to him is Portabella Clothing king, Joe Oks. When Carlos received his World Series ring, he had another made up for his longtime pal, Joe. He had an inscription made which reads SUPER JOE. I have heard Carlos say through the years that you cannot pay for that kind of friendship. A beautiful act.

 

 

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