The 39th Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner honored five local athletes, two dedicated partners of the AHRC New York City Foundation, and the legacy of one of New York City’s most beloved sports stars, Thurman Munson. On Tuesday, February 5, hundreds gathered at the Grand Hyatt New York for the dinner, which raised nearly $800,000 for the Foundation.

Sharing in the Mission of AHRC New York City

The dinner was preceded by Diana Munson, her daughter Kelly, and family friends visiting two AHRC NYC-operated programs at West 56th Street—Esther Ashkenas Central Park Early Learning Center, (ELC) and the Walter and Evelyn Redfield Center. The Munsons received a tour of the preschool by Principal, Beth Rosenthal, and by Witemberg CabralFacility Director, and Maria-Mercedes HubbardCommunity Support Supervisor of the Redfield Center, which supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Munsons were joined by AHRC NYC Foundation staff members and by Marco Damiani, AHRC NYC’s CEO.

Diana Munson watches as AHRC NYC's CEO, Marco Damiani, engages with the children

Diana Munson watches as AHRC NYC’s CEO, Marco Damiani, engages with the children


At Central Park ELC, the Munsons learned about academic and behavioral strategies used by teachers to work with the children. They observed several classrooms in action, visited the indoor playground on the second floor of the building, and joined in a music therapy class. Children at the school eagerly interacted with all of the guests.

Children engage in a music therapy session at Esther Ashkenas Central Park Early Learning Center

Children engage in a music therapy session at Esther Ashkenas Central Park Early Learning Center


Downstairs at the Redfield Center, the group was treated to a three-song performance by members of AHRC NYC on Broadway who were rehearsing for their upcoming Valentine’s Day show. Blanca Colon displayed some of the recent art projects she had been working on. Finally, Martin Neal sat down with Diana Munson for a brief interview that appeared on the WKRTM podcast.

When Martin asked why Diana was visiting the program that day, she responded, “We do a dinner every year to honor my husband, who was Thurman Munson. AHRC has become very important and dear to my family, and obviously to all New Yorkers. We’ve raised a lot of money and sometimes you just want to know where the monies are going. So I was doing a tour today to get to know some of the people and see some of the good works and meet some of the teachers and see the happiness and enthusiasm. I’ve seen it all; I’m quite impressed. It’s been gratifying to know that all the money that we’re raising is going for these wonderful causes.”

Diana Munson thanks Maritn Neal after recording the WKRTM podcast

Diana Munson thanks Maritn Neal after recording the WKRTM podcast

Martin then invited Diana to pick a song to be played as the podcast’s closing music; she was touched when he chose a song from her favorite band, The Spinners. Diana also said she looked forward to reading Martin’s original book “My First Time on Broadway,” in which Martin expresses the feelings he has had while performing musicals with his cohorts from AHRC NYC on Broadway.

It’s Pretty Special to Me

This year’s Thurman Munson Award honorees included New York Yankees shortstop, Didi Gregorious; Yankees third baseman, Miguel Andújar; Yankees manager, Aaron Boone; New York Giants long snapper and two-time Super Bowl champion, Zak DeOssie; and the World Series-winning 1969 New York Mets, represented by fan-favorite, Ed Kranepool. Also receiving commendations were Michael N. Rosen, Also receiving commendations were Michael N. Rosen, Founding Chair of the AHRC NYC Foundation from its inception in 1994 until this past December, who accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award,  and Gary GreenCEO of Alliance Building Services and Alliance Baseball LLC, who accepted the M. Anthony Fisher Humanitarian Award. Other sports legends who spoke during the evening included Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson, Mets and Yankees Sensation Daryl Strawberry and Amazin’ Mets 1969 Wolrd Series outfielder Ron Swoboda.

Aaron Boone accepts the Thurman Munson Award

Aaron Boone accepts the Thurman Munson Award

It’s really neat for me,” said Aaron Boone, according to an MLB.com article. “Growing up in this game, Thurman Munson, being the superstar that he was in the Bronx and helping the Yankees win championships, this is in my hot zone. [He is one of the players] I grew up idolizing, wanting to be like. To be here as a manager, accepting an award with his name on it is pretty special to me.”

AHRC NYC's CEO, Marco Damiani and the AHRC NYC Foundation's Jennifer Goodwin and Dianne Gomez, with Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Michael N. Rosen

AHRC NYC’s CEO, Marco Damiani and the AHRC NYC Foundation’s Jennifer Goodwin and Dianne Gomez, with Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Michael N. Rosen

Over the past decade, Alliance Building Services has hired over 200 individuals supported by AHRC New York City,” said Gary Green. “We should never forget that as part of the business community of New York City it is our responsibility to provide jobs for these individuals. We are thrilled to make a difference.”

The dinner is named for Thurman Munson, catcher for the Yankees for 11 seasons from 1969-1979. He served as captain of the team from 1976 until his tragic death in a plane crash on August 2, 1979. Munson was a well-respected leader throughout Major League Baseball, won the MVP Award in 1976, and was an exceptional postseason performer. Michael Kay, the play-by-play voice of the Yankees and the MC for the dinner, made the case that Thurman should immediately be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, which was greeted with rousing applause.

Diana Munson with the Honorees of the 39th Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner

Diana Munson with the Honorees of the 39th Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner

Diana Munson with Miguel Andújar

Diana Munson with Miguel Andújar


“[The dinner is] going strong after 39 years,” Mrs. Munson said. “What an honor for Thurman. What a wonderful way to honor his legacy by doing so many good works. I toured some facilities and I saw the classrooms and the workshops. I see where the money goes. It’s so touching and it means so much to our family. What a good way to honor Thurman and what a wonderful way to help all the individuals.”

Miguel Andújar, a rookie sensation in the 2018 season, announced that he would be directing the $20,000 non-profit grant he received from winning the MLBPA Rookie of the Year Award to the AHRC NYC Foundation. “Last night I was blessed to receive the Thurman Munson Award from @AHRCNYC,” he said on Twitter the following day. “It was an honor to be in the same room with people who on a daily basis assist those who need a helping hand. Thank you to @AHRCNYC for the award.”


Make a Difference for People with Disabilities

The AHRC New York City Foundation is a fund-raising and grant-making entity that supports programs for children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and who live in New York City. The Foundation is the primary source of philanthropic support for AHRC New York City, which provides a wide array of social services for approximately 15,000 people with disabilities.


Further Coverage of the Thurman Munson Awards Dinner

Read more and watch videos from the event in the article links below!

News4NY

WNBC/Bruce Beck:

News 4 New York’s Coverage of the Thurman Munson Awards Dinner

Watch the Video


Bernie and Sid

Bernie & Sid in the Morning:

Bernie & Sid discuss Thurman Munson with Yankee, Aaron Boone, an honoree of the event.

Listen to the Show


WCBSNewsradio

WCBS AM:

Aaron Boone talks about the Yankees’ roster at the Thurman Munson Dinner.  

Listen


SNY

SNY:

SNY’s Sweeny Murti goes one-on-one with Yankees manager Aaron Boone at the annual Thurman…

Watch the Interview


MLB

MLB.com:

39th annual awards dinner celebrates the legacy of longtime Yankees catcher.

Learn More


NJcom

NJ.com:

Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius talks about his timetable to return from Tommy John surgery at…

Watch the Video


DailyNews

NY Daily News:

Yankees are content without Manny Machado or Bryce Harper, says Aaron Boone…

Learn More


NYpost

NY Post:

How Miguel and Andujar, Didi Gregorius are dealing with Manny Machado possibility

Keep Reading


AP

Associated Press:

Gregorius not estimating on return from elbow surgery

Learn More


MLBtv

MLB.tv:

Boone, Gregorius, Andujar and Jackson speak out about Thurman Munson’s legacy…

Watch the Video


ESPN

ESPN:

Gregorius not estimating on return from elbow surgery…