Eli Manning visited Yankee Stadium last night, not as a celebrity wanting to to be noticed or to get his picture on Page Six of the New York Post, but to truly root for the Yankees.
I asked Eli if he was a Yankee Fan. He looked me right in the eyes and told me that he was.
I didn't want to talk to Eli about his career or his present situation.
I know that all week at practice he has to field those questions from the football press.
However, as a great athlete who knows a thing or two about being a Champion and making impossible comebacks did he think that the Yankees could win and he said that they definitely could.
He was gracious enough to give me a few minutes to talk about our beloved Bronx Bombers.
I was also able to thank him for his contributions to New York sports and his gift as a great humanitarian to the young people of our great city.
If Eli was able to reach one kid then he truly reached his true purpose in life.
The football career has been great. However what Eli Manning has done for so many kids he doesn’t even know about is far better.
Babe Ruth was the greatest athlete to ever play professional sports but I can guarantee you that the thing that the Babe was the most proud of was his contributions to kids who needed his love.
I think Eli followed that path.
Being a kid that came from these rough streets, I thank you Eli because it was a very tough sports owner and the professional athletes like yourself who saved my life and the life of millions.
God bless you in everything that you decide to do with the best part of your life. It’s just the beginning.
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." For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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