Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today tossed out the first pitch to open the David Cone Charity Softball Tournament -- a day-long event which benefits at former major league baseball players who have fallen on hard times (Baseball Assistance Team), New York City's Parks and the Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. Softball teams from New York City's corporate community, coached by major league baseball stars, have each donated $10,000 to compete in today's round-robin tournament. New York Yankee pitcher David Cone is the tournament's founder and Commissioner.
Joining the Mayor and David Cone at today's Central Park event were New York Yankees Joe Torre, Derek Jeter and Joe Girardi and Mets, John Franco and Brian McRae. Also on hand were former major league greats Tommie Agee, Ralph Branca, Ed Charles, Bob Gibson, Keith Hernandez, Buddy Kerr, Bobby Thomson, Rusty Torres and Frank Torre.
"New York City has been home to some of the major league's best baseball players," Mayor Giuliani said. "Time and time again, players like David Cone, Keith Hernandez and John Franco, have proven themselves with gutsy performances in tough situations. But they have also made tremendous contributions to their community off the field and today's charity softball tournament is just another example of this commitment.
"Throughout his career, David Cone has intimidated and frustrated opposing hitters with an array of impressive pitches," the Mayor continued. "But David's greatest weapon, both on and off the field, is his heart. Today, David is leading the Yankees pitching staff to a record-setting year when it was only two short years ago that he was battling a career and life threatening arm injury. I would like to thank him, the other major leaguers and the companies competing in the tournament for their contributions to the citizens of this City."
Corporate teams have each donated $10,000 to participate in the David Cone Charity Softball Tournament. Twelve New York City businesses have each fielded teams of 15 players. Today's championship team will attend a night game at Yankee Stadium in a luxury suite and receive a pre-game visit from David Cone. The members of the second place team will each receive 30 Yankees tickets.
In 1986, then Major League Commissioner Peter Uberroth and the late John Carter, President and CEO of The Equitable, created the Baseball Assistance Team, as part of Major League Baseball's corporate sponsorship program. B.A.T. is comprised of former major league players and community representatives who have united to aid members of the baseball family who have come upon hard times.
The Central Park Conservancy is a not for profit foundation founded in 1980 that manages Central Park. The Conservancy provides two thirds of Central Parks annual operating budget, funds major capital improvements and provides horticultural care and management.
David Cone and his wife Lynne have been supporters of The Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. The Children's Hospital is a resource for the New York City area, treating more than 22,000 children a year for serious illnesses.