Mets and Yanks are celebrated at annual Munson Awards
Chelsea Piers was the site of this year’s 43rd annual Thurman Munson Awards Gala for the benefit of the AHRC NYC Foundation. Over the years this annual charity fundraiser has raised more than $19 million to benefit children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The award winners were selected for their on-the-field excellence, community outreach and for the betterment of their sport.
Brooklyn’s own John Cirillo of Cirillo World Media introduced the winners. First, like Thurman Munson a homegrown Yankee catcher, Kyle Higashioka was selected and reacted to the honor by saying, “I know that I have big shoes to fill and I’m going to give it my best.”
Next, LPGA golf champion Annika Sorenstam recounted that, oddly enough, some of the best competition that she faced over the years has been against retired baseball players like the Braves’ John Smoltz and Greg Maddux.