BIG HIT Story and photos by Stephen Vrattos
More than 200 filled Towers
on the Green Thursday
evening, June 8, to hear
legend of baseball, former New
York Yankee Ron Blomberg, speak
about being the the game’s first designated
hitter and first Jewish player
for the Bronx Bombers. Blomberg’s
appearance was the result of a joint
effort by North Shore Towers Men’s
Club and the UJA, which is celebrating
its centennial this year.
Outside of his historic role in the
annals of baseball and impressive
stats—despite a career curtailed
by injuries—Blomberg’s greatest
achievement may be his work as a
humanitarian and philanthropist for
Jewish causes, a role he’s dedicated
his life to since being taught by his
parents, “What goes around, comes
around,” as a child growing up in
the anti-Semitic Atlanta, Georgia,
of the 1950s. “His appearance
here at North Shore Towers is a
continuation of that commitment,”
said Gary Zwetchkenbaum, NST
resident and Men’s Club member,
who chaired the event.
Native Bostonian Zwetchkenbaum
couldn’t help but mention the
love of his hometown Red Sox
before introducing the Yankee
Slugger. This coupled with Men’s
Club President Arnie Rabinowitz’s
earlier introductory remarks, which
included his profession of love for
the Mets, led to Blomberg’s opening
comment and final word on the
issue. “Let’s not forget, the Yankees
won when they wanted to; the Mets
won when they could!”
Out of the mouth of another, the
playful gibe would’ve been heard
as an insult, the opening salvo in
a puerile argument over beloved
sports franchises. But out of the
ebullient and self-effacing mien of
Blomberg, the remark was endearing
and immediately engaged the
audience, who eagerly took to
the loveable giant. It didn’t matter
Blomberg’s stream of conscience
or his bouncing from anecdote
to anecdote—often not finishing
thoughts—the enthusiastic Hallof
Famer’s joie de vivre and love of
Honorary Yankee Hall-of-Famer
wows NST crowd
Engaging the audience Great read!
sharing his passion embraced the
entire catering hall and in its way,
delivered his message of supporting
the UJA more powerfully than a
more methodical approach.
Since its inception in 1917
Triple play; (l. to r.) UJA Event Chair Gary Zwetchkenbaum, Yankee
Hall-of-Famer Ron Blomberg and NST Board President Mario
Carmiciano
during World War I, when banker
and philanthropist, Felix Warburg,
brought together a group of
like-minded Jewish visionaries to
launch a federation, the UJA has
helped the less fortunate. In its
first year, more than $2.2 million
was distributed to Jewish hospitals,
orphanages and social service organizations,
and it’s been helping both
indigent Jews and non-Jews ever
since. Amazingly, only about 13¢ of
every donated dollar goes to cover
overhead, meaning around 87% of
all donations go toward such issues
as fighting poverty, nurturing health
and well-being among all ages, caring
for the elderly, supporting families
with special needs, responding
to crises, battling anti-Semitism and
building resilient communities.
The outspoken Yankee legend
is unapologetic about being a
Jew, proudly wearing his faith on
his sleeve. “They say blacks are a
minority in baseball, but a Jew is
really a minority,” Blomberg said.
To be able to play here with all the
Jewish people, all the Jewish sports
writers, all the Jewish media is the
greatest feeling in the whole world.”
Embracing his fans Head to head
10 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ July 2017