Congratulations JR…

My friend and Bay Ridge runner Jonathan Rohl (seen here with Matt Long) was part of the I Will Foundation entourage that competed with Matt in his quest for the Ironman Triathalon in Lake Placid on July 26. It was JR’s first attempt at this swimming, biking and running endurance test of strength and stamina, and he passed with flying colors. His time was 11:06 and he was 244th out of the 2,258 that started the event. Jonathan is a graduate of prestigious Regis High School and the University of Scranton, graduating with degrees in International Language/Business in 2001. He can be seen running through the streets of Bay Ridge in preparation for the NYC Marathon in November and the Boston Marathon in April. During last years Boston Marathon, JR had his best marathon time to date, 2:57, which to me is absolutely incredible. Nicely done, buddy…

Sometime on Friday, I caught the HBO series “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” already in progress and was watching a story about former Oakland Raider Barret Robbins and his battle with a bipolar disorder. The next segment on the show was about a young lacrosse player and the malignant brain tumor that was detected by her doctor at the tender age of nine. It was a story I knew all to well, after meeting this feisty teenager last year at Poly Prep. The story goes like this… Jaclyn Murphy was diagnosed and had that brain tumor removed on March 30, 2004. Chemotherapy and radiation followed the operation because the tumor they removed was malignant and life threatening. Each day on their way to the treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan, they passed a poster on the wall depicting a women’s lacrosse team, and her dad, Denis Murphy, pointed to that image and said to his daughter, “that’s going to be you one day.” Little did either of them know, that Jaclyn’s lacrosse coach had a friend who coached the Northwestern University’s women’s college squad and had told her all about Jaclyn and her condition. Within days, Jaclyn had all sorts of Northwestern Lacrosse gear and autographed pictures and sticks from the entire team. Jaclyn had her dad drive her to a game when the team came to the east coast to play at Johns Hopkins in Maryland. Dad did, and an incredible relationship had begun. Jaclyn attended as many games as she could and was in the stands when the team won their first NCAA Championship in 2004. They have won every year since. She is quite the ‘good luck charm’. The foundation she and her dad have started is called Friends of Jaclyn, and is all about love, support and friendship. So far, they have over 100 college sports teams covering 17 different sports and one high school lacrosse team (Poly Preps Girls). They pair off recently diagnosed pediatric brain tumor patients and a school sports program. That team “adopts” the child and the results are extraordinary. That is how I met this amazing young lady; her and her dad were introducing the Poly team to their ‘adopted younger sister’, Lily Langbein. It was one of the most incredible moments I have ever witnessed. I got to chat with Jaclyn, whose courage, relentless spirit and joy for life are an inspiration to those who know her. She is captivating, and her enthusiasm is contagious. The Poly team, the only high school program thus far, is coached by Anni Zukauskas, who says of her team, “I have a very special team here at Poly Prep, and they have gone above and beyond to become a part of this foundation.” This charitable organization was created to raise public awareness about pediatric brain tumors. Funds are used to offset medical expenses for children who are diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer and donations are made to other charities specifically related to pediatric brain cancer. For more information on this wonderful foundation go to www.friendsofjaclyn.org

Brooklyn Little Leaguer Cops Championship

Leave it to a Brooklyn kid to secure the win for his Staten Island Little League summer team. 13-year-old pitcher Justin Pedone of Dyker Heights pitched the last three innings and saved the deciding game for his Great Kills team against West Shore to cop best-of-three Babe Ruth League District 7 All-Star series championship.
In the early innings with Dave Murray pitching for Great Kills, the team had a four run lead; but by the fourth inning they had seen their lead dwindle down to a single run. That brought in Pedrone, who proceeded to face nine West Shore batters, striking out five and getting two to pop out and two to ground out. The last inning, protecting a 5-3 lead, Pedone got the first batter to pop out to the infield; struck out batter number two for his 5th K and induced the third batter to hit a hard ground ball to second where Nick Cannatella, with a great stop and throw, ended the game with a perfect play.
This Great Kills team moves on to compete in the New York State Tournament where they will play Westchester in a game this Friday at 8:15 p.m. at South Shore.

Remembering Rosemarie…

Bay Ridge lost one of its ‘treasures’ on July 17, 2009, and her name was Rosemarie O’Keefe. Rosemarie, in the words of Senator Marty Golden, was a woman who stood as a giant in her community and who accomplished great things for Bay Ridge. Golden also stated, “I am grateful to have had the privilege of working with Rosemarie O’Keefe for many years towards the betterment of our community. Be it cleanups on our avenues or in our parks, or fighting against crime or graffiti, or working on issues related to our community’s zoning, Roe was everywhere and did everything for the good of the neighborhood.” Community leader Arlene Keating said, “Rosemarie had been a constant supporter of many Bay Ridge events for years, including the Ragamuffin Parade and the BRCC as well as many, many more. Truly loyal to the Bay Ridge community that she loved and protected so dearly. Everything she touched and advocated for she did with fervor and class. She was a friend to many and will be missed by all.” Councilman Vincent Gentile had this to say about O’Keefe, “Certainly this community mourns the passing of Rosemarie O’Keefe. We may not have been from the same party but we were on the same page about what was right and what was good and what was in the best interest for our community and the city. We really lost a friend.” Bay Ridge Community Council President Andrew Windsor said, "Rosemarie O'Keefe was an integral and important part of our community, working tirelessly on behalf of others. Her presence and dedication in and to Bay Ridge and the surrounding areas will be missed". Her funeral on Monday at St. Anselm’s Church was well attended by Bay Ridge and beyond. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayor Rudy Guliani were both in attendance, with Bloomberg calling O’Keefe “bigger than life” and a person the city will miss dearly.

A Conversation with J. J. Franco

J.J. Franco is the starting shortstop and a right-handed pitcher for the Poly Prep Blue Devils. He has been at Poly since 5th grade; played for the Junior Varsity (JV) baseball team as an eighth-grader and the Varsity since he was a freshman. As a freshman and a sophomore, J.J. was voted to the First Team All-League. He was also named co-most improved player as a sophomore. The Blue Devils went 52-3 his first two years and were NYSAISAA Champs in both 2007-08. This year, as a junior, J.J. was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) by the New York State Sportswriters Association. His dad is John Franco, legendary left-handed relief pitcher for the New York Mets, who also played for the St. John’s Redmen, and Lafayette High School. J.J. was in Atlanta last week, playing in a tournament, but was able to answer a few questions.
JJ, you're the starting shortstop and pitcher for Poly, do you do anything different to prepare for your next start as a pitcher?
In preparation for my next start, I try to listen to my dad's advice. I play a nice, slow game of long toss, stretch out longer and slow myself down. As a shortstop I'm always running around everywhere, but as a pitcher I need to remain composed and stay within myself on the mound.

Can you give me some highlights from last season?
If I had to choose some highlights, I would choose our victory over Horace Mann when we came back from a 10-run deficit and ‘mercy ruled’ them. Another would be the Telecommunications game. I pitched a complete game shut out with 10 Ks and Richie Carbone hit the game winning base hit in the bottom of the 7th.

You have played for a lot of teams during your young career, how do you rank Coach Matt Roventini and his staff?
Coach Roves and his staff are definitely one of the best there is. As a baseball player, you dream of playing for coaches like them. They are very laid back and believe in letting us play the game. They stay true to the old ways of playing baseball and respect the game. But, if you need a kick in the rear, they are not afraid to do that.

What needs to be accomplished next year (your last) at Poly for it to be a truly successful season?
Win the championship. Every year we set that as our goal. Anything else that happens during the year is just a bonus that reflects our hard work.

Your favorite highlight of old Shea Stadium?
My favorite highlight is when the Mets beat the Cardinals in 2000 to advance to the World Series. What made it truly special was seeing them do a victory lap around the field and seeing my dad lifted up on one of his teammates shoulders. Then after, all the families had the privilege to partake in the post game celebration. Of course I wasn't spraying and drinking champagne like everyone else, but Garret Zeile (Todd's son) and I were running around with glasses of water and throwing them on the players.

Lastly, what are you doing this summer baseball-wise?
I've been to a couple of tournaments so far. One in Troy, New York, about a week ago and I'm currently in Atlanta for a tournament with my summer team, the Richmond County Baseball Club. I also attended a baseball prospect camp at Stanford University and got the opportunity to play in front of 50+ coaches from colleges I'm interested in going to. In August I'm going to the East Coast Professional Baseball Tournament in Lakeland to play with the Angel's East Coast scout team and after that I plan on attending the Headfirst Showcase in Richmond, Virginia.

Busy summer. We wish you all the best and congratulations on your 2009 MVP.

Just my opinion…

I was told the other day that Sen. Marty Golden had requested a traffic study along Shore Road between 90th Street and Third Avenue by the Department of Transportation. My suggestion is that the good Senator just tell the Head Knucklehead of the DOT to pull up a beach chair and sit on my corner for fifteen minutes, any weekday, and I am sure he would find a way to slow down the traffic well before the planned study results are released in September.

Congrats to Poly Baseball…

Members of Poly Prep’s Varsity Baseball Team were recently announced as winners of the New York State Sportswriters Association Awards. Junior starting shortstop J. J. Franco (r) received the Player of the Year Award for his division and junior first baseman Richie Carbone (l) was named 3rd Team All-League. Both players also pitch for the Blue Devils and both are wearing #6 in honor of retired baseball Coach Harlow Parker. Head Coach Matt Roventini (behind w/bat) was named Coach of the Year. Franco’s dad is none other than Met great John Franco who retired in 2005.