New York Mets partner up with Jillian Michaels to benefit Dress for Success

The New York Mets Alumni Association, presented by Citi, as part of their ongoing “Teammates in the Community” series, lent a hand Saturday in Battery Park to Dress for Success for their annual power walk fundraiser. Mets alumni John Franco, George “The Stork” Theodore and Mr. Met were on hand to help kick off the event, along with Dress for Success' official spokesperson, fitness guru Jillian Michaels. Over 500 participants on a beautiful day in New York City participated in the 5K walk to benefit the organization.

John Franco, George Theodore and Mr. Met jump start the event

Franco, the Mets career leader in saves, currently works as an ambassador for the Mets. He helped to rally the troops prior to the beginning of the race, encouraging the crowd to, “have fun and support all of the wonderful women that will benefit from today's event.”

Theodore, affectionately nicknamed “The Stork” for his tall and thin appearance, was also thrilled to be back in New York as part of the day's festivities. “To be a part of this event, which is such a worthy cause, it's great. It's energizing coming back to New York and just build my wife and my whole family's spirit.”

Dress for Success an international not-for-profit organization that provides professional attire to disadvantaged women to assist them in their employment seeking endeavors. For more information about Dress for Success, visit them online at DressforSuccess.org.

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New York Mets alumni week appearances May 6-8

Former New York Met George Foster / N. Diunte

The New York Mets will be showcasing their alumni this weekend at events throughout the city including appearances at Citi Field. For this current home stand, Edgardo Alfonzo, Kevin Elster, George Foster, John Franco, Ed Hearn and George "The Stork" Theodore will all be involved in the festivities for what has been dubbed, "Mets Alumni Week."

Click here to read all of the events happening in relation to Mets Alumni Week for May 6-8.

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Bill White: Uppity: My Untold Story About the Games People Play

Bill White, the former All-Star first baseman, National League president and New York Yankees broadcaster recently released his memoirs, Uppity: My Untold Story About the Games People Play. White speaks openly about his lengthy multi-faceted career in baseball and why he has distanced himself from the game. Click here to read the entire review of the book, as well as video of White speaking from his book signing in New Jersey.

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Emilio 'Millito' Navarro, 105, world's oldest living baseball player

Emilio "Millito" Navarro, the world's oldest living baseball player died April 30, 2011, at his home in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He was 105. Emilio 'Millito' Navarro, the Puerto Rican legend who played for the New York Cuban Stars in the Negro League from 1928-29, died Saturday in Ponce. He was 105.

The New York Yankees honored Navarro in 2008, selecting him in the ceremonial Negro Leagues draft. He was brought to Yankee Stadium where he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Navarro's toss reached catcher Jorge Posada on the fly from 30 feet away. On the heels of his 103rd birthday, Navarro was astounded by the homage Yankees made.

"This is a dream for me," Navarro said. "I think I am in heaven."

Inducted into the Puerto Rican Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992, the second baseman was the first Puerto Rican to play in the Negro Leagues. Standing only 5'5", Navarro impressed with his quick bat, flashy hands and speed.

Navarro played for 20 seasons with the Ponce Lions in the Puerto Rican Winter League, as well as playing in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. After his playing career was over, he was a physical education teacher and coach in Ponce and Caguas. Active past the age of 100, Navarro would often do exercises in public to demonstrate his fitness.

'Millito' gained notoriety in the past few years for being the world's oldest living professional baseball player. Topps honored Navarro in 2009 with an official baseball card in their Allen and Ginter set. In 2010, he was given the America's Outstanding Oldest Worker award from Experience Works.

Navarro is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. His wife died more than two decades ago at age 62 from breast cancer.

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Eddie Robinson goes to bat for his baseball family

Eddie Robinson, the 90-year-old All-Star first baseman who played for seven franchises during his 13 year major league career, saw one of his life-long crusades come to fruition with last week's agreement to extend pension payments to the group of MLB alumni that fell into the pension gap between 1947-1979.

Robinson appeared in New York for the announcement of payments to the MLB veterans. He spoke from his Fort Worth, Texas home about the excitement of his 20-year journey to get benefits for these retirees.

"I’m getting a pension and I’m happy, but it just didn’t seem fair," Robinson said. "I was in the group of the first player representatives that was formed, so I’ve had a great interest in what’s happened to players over the years, so when they dropped it back, I just didn’t think that was fair and I began to crusade to get something done about it."

Eddie Robinson / SMU Press

Fueled by recent media interest from Douglas Gladstone's book, "A Bitter Cup of Coffee," which spotlights the plight of many of the retirees caught in this pension gap, Major League Baseball was more receptive of a meeting with Robinson's group of alumni. A meeting at the MLB offices in New York City helped to make their cause clearer to baseball's top brass.

"Our services committee of the MLB players alumni became more active," he said. "We got a couple of players on our committee who were lacking in years to get a pension and they added a lot of exuberance and get go to our committee. We had a meeting in New York with Michael Weiner and Rob Manfred, and after that, I think they saw the seriousness of it and that something should be done."

The lack of parity in service time needed for a pension after the 1980 agreement ate at Robinson for the past thirty years, even more so in recent time as more alumni passed away. 

"The last year-and-a-half it’s been a real issue with us," he said. "It was so unfair to some players. Rich Hand, he just lacked a few days of having his four years and the reason he didn’t get those days was because there was a player’s strike. That robbed him of his pension. There were guys in World War II who had a year or two in the big leagues and when they came out they were too old or couldn’t win their job back. Even though they had their years, being in the service robbed them of getting a pension."

Robinson beamed with pride over the current agreement. While it isn't a true pension for those retirees, the annuity payments they will receive will not only help with their standard of living, but does something greater by validating their time as a major leaguer.

"Of course there are all of those guys in between who weren’t recognized and they couldn’t say, ‘I’m a big leaguer, I’m getting a pension.' This really authenticates it for those guys. That’s been one of my major goals since I’ve retired and fortunately I was able to achieve it."

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Connie Marrero's centennial celebration

Today marks the 100th birthday for the Cuban pitcher for the Washington Senators, Connie Marrero. Click here to read more about the great career of Marrero, as well as recollections of the crafty veteran from his Washington Senator teammates.

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Tony Oliva still on cloud nine about his baseball career

Legendary Minnesota Twins outfielder Tony Oliva recently made an appearance in New York City at a baseball card show. Oliva, who just had a statue dedicated to himself at Target Field on opening day, took some time to reflect on his 50 years with the organization.

Long after he has retired his glove and spikes, at age 72 Tony Oliva still dreams about his baseball career. Born in 1938 in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Oliva went on to achieve major league stardom after humble beginnings growing up on the farm. As a young man, Oliva simply desired to follow in the footsteps of the Cubans that preceded him and play baseball. He never thought he would have experienced this journey.

“I still dream about everything I achieved. I dream about my career, dream about playing baseball, meeting so many people, traveling so much,” Oliva said. “Coming from where I came from, a poor family working in the country, to being able to come here and meet so many wonderful people. I had a chance to touch so many people's lives, visiting churches, schools, hospitals, and retirement homes. I never dreamed this would happen. I didn't plan it this way, but this is the way the big chief wanted it.”

Just a few weeks ago, Oliva had another dream come true when the Minnesota Twins unveiled a statue of his likeness outside of Gate Six on opening day at Target Field.

“Can you believe that? It's in Gate #6, which was my number. I tell people, you never know, from the farm in Cuba to having a statue of you in front of the big league stadium. It’s unbelievable,” Oliva glowingly said during a recent appearance in New York City.

Returning to New York for the first time in many years brought back vivid memories of playing in the city for the eight-time All-Star.

“I love New York. I love to come here, to play here, the tradition here. I'll never forget my first home run here was over Mickey Mantle's head. The ball went inside the monuments,” Oliva recalled. “For me to come to New York, it was unique. There were so many Hispanic people here in New York. They used to come over in right field to say hello. Some would scream to me because I did good here in New York. It was nice to be a part of the history here and play in front of all of these people.”

Brought to legendary scout “Papa” Joe Cambria by Roberto Fernandez Tapanes in 1960, Oliva made the journey from Cuba through Mexico to the United States to make his debut with Class-D Wytheville of the Appalachian League in 1961. Oliva tore through the league, batting an astounding .410, and after hitting .350 at Class-A Charlotte the following season, he was summoned to the major leagues for a late September call-up. He played 15 seasons for the Twins, winning three batting titles in the American League in addition to his aforementioned eight All-Star appearances.

Now working as a special assistant for the team, 2011 marks the 50th year that Oliva has been involved in the Twins organization as a player, coach, and administrator. He is still amazed that he is with the same team he started with a half-century ago. He expressed gratitude for the Twins ownership of the opportunities that he has received.

“Mr. Griffith for me was part of the family, like a second father," he said. "He did something for me that I will never forget. When I finished playing as a regular, he called me in and told me, ‘I want you to be in the organization as long as you want. I want you to be my hitting coach. How much do you want to make?’” Griffth asked Oliva. “I knew how much the coaches were making; the coaches don't make nothing. I told him, 'Give me what you think is the right amount.'"

Oliva was more than satisfied with Griffith's response.

"He paid me well; he gave me twice what the coaches were making. I didn't have to ask or beg him for a job, he offered it to me. He told me I could work here as long as I wanted. I thought it was nice of him to call me in and give me almost a lifetime job.”

As one of the proud faces of the franchise, Oliva has embraced his role as an ambassador for the club.

“I didn't believe something like this would happen to me. I've been with the organization for 50 years. I was supposed to be here only six months, 50 years later, I'm still here. I enjoy it more every day.”

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