The Mickey Mantle Foundation

by Lou Parrotta

Prior to his death from the cancer that riddled his body, longtime New York Yankee Centerfielder Mick "The Quick" Mantle set up a foundation bearing his name to raise awareness to the whole idea of organ donation. Devoted fans Joe Carucci, owner of Prudential Real Estate in Utica, and Tom Napoli, proprietor of the Hall of Frames in New Hartford, decided to show the ever-present Central New York willingness to assist those in need. The two decided to set up the Central New York Chapter of the Mickey Mantle Foundation for Organ and Tissue Donation in 1997.

After much discussion and planning, Carucci and Napoli decided to host Yankee legend and good friend to Mantle, Yogi Berra, at a cocktail reception at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro in 1998. Three hundred people clamored to meet the Yankee icon and have their photograph taken with him. After the reception, everyone in attendance proceeded to Murnane Field to watch Berra throw out the first pitch before a Utica Blue Sox game. It was an event that Central New Yorkers talked about for months.

The following year, the now annual event drew the same number of people to meet Hall of Fame shortstop Phil "The Scooter" Rizzuto. Rizzuto could not have been more wonderful to his legion of fans. The third event allowed Central New Yorkers the opportunity to meet and greet one of the greatest hurlers ever to don the Yankee pinstripes, Whitey "Chairman of the Board" Ford. Truly Mantle's best friend in all of baseball, Ford was simply a delight to listen to as he recalled his playing days in the Bronx with Mantle in the 1950s and 1960s. Even more wonderful at the event was the fact that Mantle's son David was in attendance to personally thank the wonderful people of Central New York for their love of his father and their dedication to his foundation.

According to Napoli, Over 750 donor cards have been signed to date as a result of our events. This is the most important part of the whole affair. And, our chapter can be proud of the fact that we have gotten more donor cards filled out than any other in the country as a result of our events. This is a further testament to the wonderful and caring people of the Mohawk Valley.

On April 7, 2002, at the glorious Hotel Utica in historic downtown Utica, the Foundation will host its fourth event. This year, however, the Foundation will host not one former Yankee great, but three. In attendance this year will be Hank Bauer, Bill Moose Skowron, and Gene "The Stick" Michael. Tickets are available by calling the Hall of Frames at 797-0097. This chapter is one of only three still in existence, Napoli said. And, it is the one whose events are the most talked about due to its friendly, open atmosphere. It will prove to be another wonderful event in which baseball fans will be able to talk with the stars of yesteryear about what it was like to play with the legendary Mickey Mantle. I hope to see you there.

Rerprinted with permission of the Boonville Herald, where this article first appeared.