News
May 1, 2015Tommy John at Center’s Aficionado Experience Evening
Four time All Star Tommy John, who was a pitcher for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and other teams during his 26 year career, will be the sports celebrity guest at the 21st annual An Aficionado Experience, a fundraiser for the Center for Disability Services, on Thursday, June 4, at 6 p.m, at the Pruyn House in Loudonville. The evening of fine food and mingling is presented by Northwestern Mutual and proceeds will benefit restoration of the Center’s therapy pool at its main site, 314 South Manning Boulevard in Albany, and replacement of six of the Center’s buses which were destroyed in a fire in December.
Tommy John, a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1963. He made his major league debut at 20 years old and was traded to the Chicago White Sox and then to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1972. In 1974, he severely damaged the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm. During groundbreaking surgery, a tendon from his right forearm was used to replace the ligament in what is now known as Tommy John surgery. John’s recovery took the entire 1975 season, but after learning a new pitching technique, he went on to pitch until 1989 and won 164 games post-surgery. Since his retirement, he has provided baseball commentary, served as a sports radio guest host, managed an independent minor league team, worked to educate young pitchers and was the subject of an ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts documentary.
An Aficionado Experience will feature fine cuisine, spirits, live and silent auctions and the chance to hear remarks from Tommy John. Previous sports guests at this fundraiser include Dwight “Doc” Gooden (2104), Sparky Lyle (2013), Lou Piniella (2012), Rick Cerone (2011), Roy White and Mickey Rivers (2010), Bucky Dent (2009) and Goose Gossage (HOF–2008).
The Center has a long alliance with the New York Yankees going back to the 1970’s. Past and present Yankees who have participated in Center fundraising events include: Gaylord Perry, (the late) Ryne Duren, Rusty Torres, Frank Tepedino, Goose Gossage, Jorge Posada, Joe Girardi, Bubba Crosby, Scott Proctor, Shelley Duncan, Brian Bruney, Bucky Dent, Brett Gardner, Ron Guidry, Roy White, Mickey Rivers, Rick Cerone, David Robertson, Lou Piniella, Joba Chamberlain, Willie Randolph, Cody Eppley, Sparky Lyle, Chris Chambliss, Shawn Kelley, Graig Nettles and Adam Warren.
Tickets are $150 per person, $275 per couple or $1400 for a block of ten tickets. For information, contact the Center at 944-2107 or go to www.cfdsny.org
