Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today was awarded the Ownie Riley Award by members of The Annual Yankee Event Club for his lifelong inspiration and devotion to the New York Yankees. The award is named after Ownie Riley who was a legendary Yankees fan for more than 50 years and grandfather of the Yankee Club co-founders.
"I am honored to receive the 1998 Ownie Riley Award, named after a truly great Yankees fan," Mayor Giuliani said. "Ownie Riley embodied what makes baseball and the New York Yankees so wonderful. He was on hand for some of the Yankees greatest moments, including the day in 1928 Babe Ruth hit three home runs in a single World Series game. Today, his grandsons -- Paul, Michael, Noel and Mark Heagerty-- carry on Ownie's legacy by hosting the Annual Yankee Party for loyal fans throughout the metropolitan area.
"The New York Yankees are one of the greatest teams in sports history. In 98 years, the Bronx Bombers have won 23 World Series and put 17 players into the Hall of Fame. Some of the greatest moments in New York City history have occurred at Yankee Stadium. I was there when Roger Maris hit his 61st home run in 1961, and when Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in the 1977 World Series. And who can forget Game Six of the 1996 World Series, the night the Yankees brought the World Series trophy back to New York. As a Yankees fan, it is truly an honor and pleasure to receive the Ownie Riley Award," the Mayor concluded.
Owen Riley, an Oswego, New York native, was a die-hard Yankees fan from his youth until his death in 1971. He served as assistant Commissioner of Public Works and was also a longtime Democratic committeeman.
The Annual Yankee Event Club was founded in 1996 by Paul, Michael, Noel and Mark Heagerty. The group holds an annual event and award presentation at Yankee Stadium. Last year's Ownie Riley Award was presented to Yankees radio broadcasters Michael Kay and John Sterling. The Third Annual Yankee Party will take place on May 30 at the Stadium. Yankees fans seeking information about the club should call (212) 227-5472.