Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, threw out the opening pitch at the Sunday, September 8, New York Mets game at Citi Field in Queens.
Rabbi Berman, a passionate fan, embraced the historic opportunity to celebrate all things YU as the Mets took on the Cincinnati Reds at 1:40 p.m. Each $60 ticket included seats in a dedicated YU section along the first base line, an exclusive legends jersey that cannot be purchased, and a $14 voucher to a Citi Field kiosk of your choice—including Prime Kosher Sports (PKS), which serves kosher burgers, hot dogs, French fries and other snacks —and an invitation to stand in center field during the National Anthem, which was stunningly performed by YU's choir, the Maccabeats.
The City Connect jersey tops bore the number 24 honoring Willie Mays and Jerry Grote. Mays, who died on June 18, concluded his Hall of Fame career with the Mets from 1972-73 and had his number retired by the club on Old Timers' Day two years ago. Mays was arguably the most complete player in baseball history, with 660 home runs (fifth-most of all time). He also led the league in home runs four times, had six 40-homer seasons, and led the league in slugging five times, all while playing a good portion of his career in a pitchers' ballpark and in a pitchers' era. Mays was honored with 12 Gold Gloves and eight MVPs during his time with Major League Baseball.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
