HOPE WEEK IS TRULY THE YANKEE WAY

Bleeding Yankee Blue told you guys about HOPE Week this week in YANKEES' HOPE WEEK IS THE GREAT WEEK ON EARTH, something the New York Yankees have done for the past 4 years where there will be a group of Yankees that will go out and do something special. They’ll visit underprivileged kids, they’ll help people in need, they’ll shake hands with the fans and most importantly, they give back to communities; not with Yankee representatives in suits who carry the Yankee name, but actual players, Robinson Cano, Boone Logan, Curtis Granderson, Jayson Nix, Nick Swisher, Brian Cashman… they’re all out there.

The idea makes me gush. Sure, I’m 40 and meeting these guys is a treat, but one thing that I love and it makes my heart flutter is when I see a little kid smile ear to ear as they are giving the “pounds” to a New York Yankee.  They are so excited and to me, that’s what life’s about, having fun, helping out when you can and enjoying life.  HOPE. You can’t beat it.

I told you about a story a few weeks back in a piece called WHY ANDY PETTITTE'S GIFT KEEPS ON GIVING.  Andy Pettitte gave a baseball to a legally blind boy named Andy Fass who happened to be in the Trenton Thunder facility for an award his sister was receiving for school.  Suddenly, the boy who had no interest in baseball suddenly had a life changing experience, all because Andy Pettitte took a moment to meet him. Read HERE.  Suddenly, little Andy believed.  Here’s a portion of that story written by Paul Franklin of the Times of Trenton: 

“The boy didn’t initially realize he was holding a baseball because he has oculocutaneous albinism. Andy is legally blind, and his parents learned soon after he was born that he would not be able to play baseball — though things may work out differently, thanks in part to that night at Waterfront Park.

The evening continued to be memorable. A family friend waited in line after the game and had Pettitte sign the ball. And, by coincidence, The Times captured the moment the pitcher handed the ball to Andy in a photo that appeared on the front page the next day.

Andy’s mom e-mailed the Thunder to thank them for a night that turned out to be more special than they could have imagined, and the public relations department found the story so poignant that it forwarded her letter to the Yankees. Soon two Yankee baseball caps arrived in the mail."

Well, this week the Yankees invited Andy Fass and his family to the stadium to throw out the first pitch...for HOPE Week.  Now this kid believes he can do anything and I love it.  His mother recently commented on BYB about the experience and how blessed they were that and Andy was going to be giving little league a shot, even though he’s legally blind.  You want to talk about Hope? That’s hope.   Here’s what his mother ? wrote to us:

I can’t say it enough. I love what the New York Yankees are doing and I appreciate and respect the idea so much.  Maybe one day, if BYB ever gets bigger and more popular, we can do something just as special. Because I tell you what, giving back when you can…let’s just say nothing beats the feeling inside.  God Bless my New York Yankees, this is definitely a great week.

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WHY ANDY PETTITTE'S GIFT KEEPS ON GIVING

I have to say, I’m a dad so certain things get me pretty broken up.  Many of my “crying” episodes these days are usually triggered by a kind gesture. Sometimes it comes when my kids are involved... maybe it has to do with them making an amazing play on the baseball field, or getting a good grade or them telling me they love me.  You parents may know what I mean and you younger kids will get it one day…don’t judge me…just go with it because what you're about to read is truly wonderful on so many levels.

Paul Franklin of the Times of Trenton has the story of the year and it has nothing to do with the Yankees as a team but everything to do with Andy Pettitte and a “moment” that turned a legally blind kid's dream into reality.  Bravo to Paul Franklin for an amazing story (Read HERE) that I was late to the party to…but I guess, better late than never.

Paul writes of a personal story involving a couple who decided to go to the Trenton Thunder game.  Their names are Marc & Jill Fass and they were attending because their daughter was going to have her name read for an academic award.  OK, I’m with the Fass family so far, I’d be there too and after they scored some front row seats from some generous ticket holders, they were set and were able to bring their son Andy as well. Of course, a more famous Andy was there. Andy Pettitte just finished warm ups and as Marc Fass says “All of a sudden, he walks by us and hands the baseball to our Andy and continues on his merry way.”

(Photo Credit: Martin Griff / The Times of Trenton)

Andy Fass, Marc’s son is legally blind and according to Paul Franklin “The boy didn’t initially realize he was holding a baseball because he has oculocutaneous albinism. Andy is legally blind, and his parents learned soon after he was born that he would not be able to play baseball — though things may work out differently, thanks in part to that night at Waterfront Park.

The evening continued to be memorable. A family friend waited in line after the game and had Pettitte sign the ball. And, by coincidence, The Times captured the moment the pitcher handed the ball to Andy in a photo that appeared on the front page the next day.

Andy’s mom e-mailed the Thunder to thank them for a night that turned out to be more special than they could have imagined, and the public relations department found the story so poignant that it forwarded her letter to the Yankees. Soon two Yankee baseball caps arrived in the mail."

 

(Photo Credit: Beverly Schaefer/For the Times)

Because of Andy Pettitte, Andy Fass will try Tee Ball next month at the YMCA.  This is a kid that was told by doctor’s that “he can’t” doing certain things… like baseball for instance, and yes, while he is legally blind, something happened that night at the Trenton Thunder game. Andy Fass believed.  Sure, Andy Pettitte probably had no idea that he was about to instill a drive in this boy who was there to support his sister’s academic achievement, but now Andy Fass is on a mission, a mission to attempt to play a game that’s been played by millions.  Andy Fass was told he couldn’t but Andy Fass is changing his own fate.

I think about how many stars had to align to get this kid to believe at that very moment in Trenton.  Between the reason why the Fass family had attended the Thunder game in the first place, to the ticket holders that gave away the tickets, to Andy Pettitte walking right up to the Fass family and giving the ball to Andy…if you didn’t believe in a God before, you may need to give it a shot now.

This story is truly remarkable.  Thank you Paul Franklin from the Times of Trenton. Thank you to Andy Pettitte and good luck Andy Fass…what an inspiration you are and the best of luck to you from Bleeding Yankee Blue!

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.