It’s beautiful to see that a young Yankee can understand the true history and legacy of Lou Gehrig, learning about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. Most players today don’t understand a lot of the true history of their game.
At the Lou Gehrig Gala they were honoring the young Yanks pitcher Nestor Cortes, or as the fans love to call him “Nasty Nestor,” along with others.
It was beautiful to see him talking with Maria Cooper Janis, a woman that I have great respect for. A woman who understands the true element of what life is all about.
Her father just happens to be Gary Cooper, one of America’s greatest and most beloved actors. He also portrayed Lou Gehrig in our National pastime's most-loved film, The Pride of the Yankees.
Only Gary Cooper could have put the heart and soul into that film. Only Cooper could make the country cry like he did in 1942.
I guarantee you that because of that film more people wanted to find out about ALS and I also guarantee you that because of that film more young men and woman fell in love with the great game of baseball.
To see Maria Cooper Janis at these events, extending her hand, smiling and keeping the legacy of her father alive the way she does is priceless.
To hear Nestor say that he wants to find out more about ALS and he wants to help in any way possible makes him a credit to the Yankees, a credit to the game and most importantly with the way our world is today, a credit to life!
To say that Lou Gehrig and Gary Cooper would be proud of Nestor Cortes would definitely be an understatement.
Ray Negron is a sports executive with over 40 years of experience in baseball. His first job came from a chance encounter with George Steinbrenner as a youth. He has become an American film producer, a best-selling author, and a philanthropist. His memoir is entitled, "Yankee Miracles: Life with the Boss and the Bronx Bombers." Read Ray Negron's Reports — More Here.
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