BYB EXCLUSIVE. IBANEZ TO SANDY VICTIMS: "I AM HERE TO HELP"

You know I've been beating the drum very hard to make everyone aware of the devastation people have been dealing with after Hurricane Sandy. Some of the people that have read the BYB site are actually in the middle of the horror.  Well, Ray Negron stepped up big time. He's the guy who wrote Yankee Miracles and is giving proceeds of his book sales to the Red Cross.  He also got a bunch of high level actors, athletes and musicians together for Sandy Relief as well.  Read RAY NEGRON TAKES CHARGE JUST LIKE STEINBRENNER DID BEFORE HIM.

Luckily for me, I've been able to make some pretty nice friends over the past few months and thanks to Ray and Persiphone Hellecat, Bleeding Yankee Blue was able to ask a few questions to ex-Yankee star (hopefully soon to be a Yankee again), Raul Ibanez.

So, we broke it down for you to make it simple. The victims of Hurricane Sandy need help.  So many of us have asked you to do what you could and so many have.  Now, even Raul Ibanez is stepping up to the plate and will be attending the "Music of the Night" benefit (tickets HERE) as well.  So here it is, our BYB interview with Raul about why Sandy Relief is so important...as well as a few other things.  Enjoy this... I did.

BYB: Where were you when you first saw the devastation Hurricane Sandy left behind and what was your first instinct as a public figure?

Raul Ibanez: "I was home in Pennsylvania.  I got sick to my stomach because I hate for this to happen anywhere! I have such a love for New York after this year that it hit that much harder for me."

BYB: How did you get connected with Ray Negron to be part of his concert at the Tilles Center on November 29th?

Raul Ibanez: "Ray seemed to adopt me as his "Go-to-guy" whenever he needs a player to go to a school or hospital to deal with issues."

BYB: How important is it for everyone to pitch in, big or small in this effort to get the victims of Hurricane Sandy help?

Raul Ibanez: "There shouldn't be a question from the standpoint of how can I help.  It should be 'I am here to help.'"

BYB: Off topic for a moment...I need to ask you; You came up for the second time in Game 1 against the Tigers in the 12th after you've already homered in the 9th to tie it. Are you thinking home run?

Raul Ibanez: "I was just looking for my pitch to drive."

BYB: How was your experience in the Bronx this season and would you come back to the Yankees if they called?

Raul Ibanez: "One of the greatest years of my life.  I heard it was great to be a Yankee I just didn't realize how much!  I can't wait to come back to the Yankees!"

(Photo Credit: Barbara Reif)
BYB: Finally, what's your message to the victims of Hurricane Sandy who are struggling right now?

Raul Ibanez: "Please hang in there! Things will soon get better, one way or another."

A Special thanks to Raul, Ray and Persi for their help and listen, the cause is real, the help is real.  People need aid desperately. People need to do what they can, however big or small they choose.  It's important for mankind.

Thank you all for reading today. Share it. Spread it.  Enjoy it. Thanks.

MUSIC OF THE NIGHT: BENEFIT FOR THE VICTIMS OF SANDY

Take a moment and see what's starting to come together thanks to people like Ray Negron.  Remember what started out as just an idea in Persiphone Hellecat's guest post titled RAY NEGRON TAKES CHARGE JUST LIKE STEINBRENNER DID BEFORE HIM? Well, now it's quickly developed into a movement.

Remember, November 29th "Music of the Night" at the Tilles Center at LIU-Post, Brookville. It's a Hurricane Sandy Benefit concert.  

Buy tickets HERE.

Watch the video, spread this post. Try to attend. 

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.

RAY NEGRON TAKES CHARGE JUST LIKE STEINBRENNER DID BEFORE HIM

In the days after 9/11, the Yankees came out with a sweatshirt and t-shirt design that featured the red, white and blue interlocking NY with the words “Stand Tall” beneath. I have been wearing mine a lot in the past few days, still in pristine condition. My very favorite piece of Yankee apparel ever. The words have as much meaning in the wake of Hurricane Sandy as they did following the terrible losses that September more than 11 years ago.

If there has been anyone who has embodied those words in the days after this devastating superstorm, it has been Yankee Special Advisor for Community Outreach, Ray Negron. My first phone call from Ray came quite literally at the height of the storm. He was with his family in Suffolk County and without power. His first question was about my own family. Then, he asked me what we could do for others.

It wasn’t a long call—he was worried about his cell phone dying—but I knew then that Ray was already at work. I could literally hear those wheels spinning. I am honored to say that I knew Ray before George Steinbrenner caught him tagging the stadium, and I am proud to call him my unofficial brother. I am also proud to be on his team.

On the dedication page for Yankee Miracles, he names me for helping him change the world. Most of you know me as Persiphone Hellecat, but to Ray, I am just Deni La Marr.

We have talked many times in the days since the storm at great length. We have discussed many different ways that we can help. The kids from his baseball team Hank’s Yanks spent a large part of the weekend visiting shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. Both mine and Ray’s Facebook pages are filled with every piece of information that we have heard. Both of our phone lines have been burning up as we have reached out to others.

Ray has spent many a day sitting here telling me stories about The Boss. Over and over, he has repeated the words of Mr. Steinbrenner regarding helping others. “Ray,” he often said, “if more than two people know what you are doing, that’s too many.”

However, there are times when you have to put those words aside and let the whole world know what you are doing to help. In the wake of this terrible storm, this is one such time. Many people need to band together to help the thousands in need. In short, Ray believed that another Yankee Miracle was in order.

(In Photo: Chazz Palminteri)
After speaking to some of his special friends, three of them have come forward to help make a dream come true. José Feliciano, Raúl Ibañez and Chazz Palminteri have reached out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy and are helping Ray to plan and produce a benefit concert to raise much needed funds. Each of them will be appearing at the benefit, and several additional acts will be announced in the days to come.

The concert will be held at CW Post College at the Tilles Center on November 29th at 7:30pm. Ray will be there hosting as well as signing copies of Yankee Miracles. All proceeds from sales of the book will go to the American Red Cross. Other charities will benefit from the concert as well.

Please follow Ray on Facebook HERE or on Twitter @YankeeMiracles for new information as it becomes available.

 

(In Photo: Reggie Jackson with Ray Negron)

Whenever Ray would tell The Boss that he saved him from the streets, The Boss would say “No, Ray, your story was already written that day when I caught you.” This is just another part of that story. Help Ray Negron reach out to the community and create some new Yankee Miracles. Save the date and join him at the Tilles Center for a night of music, love and miracles.

-- Persiphone Hellecat, Guest BYB Writer





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.