My humble thanks to Almighty God, who blessed me with an amazing dad, and also gave me the gifts to be able to help cowrite and share my father’s inspirational story with the world. I’m also grateful to God for all the family, friends, acquaintances, role models, and teachers that He has placed in my life along the way. The moments and lessons in my journey with them—the highs and the lows combined—led to the creation of this book. I couldn’t have properly told my dad’s tale without those experiences. Thank you, Lord, for providing them.
—CHRISTOPHER LUCAS (ISAIAH 64:8)
My deepest appreciation goes to our literary agent, Jennifer DeChiara, who believed in this project from the beginning and was passionate enough to see it to fruition, and to Marie Lamba, who first brought it to Jennifer’s attention. To Mitchell Ivers, Natasha Simons, Jennifer Robinson, Louise Burke, Jennifer Bergstrom, Jaymee Messler, Alana DeBerry, Maureen Cavanagh, and everyone at Simon & Schuster/Gallery and Jeter Publishing, thank you for your help in strengthening and promoting this book.
I am honored that Derek chose my life story to be among the first he’s published. He has consistently used the gifts he was blessed with to help others, and is an excellent role model. I’m very proud to be associated with The Captain.
Thanks to my parents, Edward and Rosanna Lucas, for their love, encouragement, and for making me the man of faith that I am today. Thanks also to my wife, Allison, for her understanding, love, and support; to my sons—Eddie and Christopher (my coauthor)—for their love and encouragement throughout the years; to my daughter-in-law Sharon; my three grandsons, EJ, Adam, and Sean; my nephews, Jeffrey and Brian Hanks, and my niece, Erin Hanks Carr, her husband, Joe, and their children, Aiden and Talon; I cherish them all.
To my lifelong friends and “second parents,” Phil and Cora Rizzuto, whose support and encouragement helped me to reach my dreams: I owe you a debt that I can never fully repay. Thanks for showing me how to pass your gifts along by blessing others with kind words and philanthropic deeds.
Many thanks to those who have touched my life in a meaningful way, in many areas:
My extended family: Nana Elizabeth Furey, Aunt Jean and Uncle Arthur Fitzhenry, Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Bill Furey, Aunt Claire and Uncle Vincent Furey, Aunt Jean and Uncle Eugene Furey, Aunt Marion and Uncle Jack Irwin, and Aunt Jerry and Uncle John Slowinsky, James and Maureen Fitzhenry, Carol Ann Furey, Cathy Furey, Eugene Furey, Kevin Furey, Claire Furey, Timothy and Karen Furey, Timothy Furey Jr., Matthew Furey, Allie Furey, Jackie Furey, Vincent Furey Jr., Vincent and Jeannie Hartnett, John Hartnett, Cornelius Hartnett, Michael Hartnett, Thomas Hartnett, Marguerite Hartnett, Bobby Irwin, Larry Irwin, Rene Kegelman, Joanie Fitzhenry Kegelman, Jeannie Fitzhenry Morris, Geraldine Slowinski, John Slowinski, and Patty Slowinski. Uncle Joe and Aunt Ann Lucas Boni, Uncle George (Luke) and Aunt Evelyn Lucas, Uncle Chris and Aunt Mary Lucas, Uncle George and Aunt Marge Lucas Lunney, and Uncle Bill and Aunt Josephine Lucas McCarthy, Joe and Elaine Lucas Cidoni, Ralph and Janet Lucas DeFiore, Duke and Betty Lucas Johnson, Jim and Joan Lucas Keiter, Charlie Kuster, Bobby and Doris Kuster, George (Bubba) Lucas and Phyllis Lucas, Ray Lunney, Kenny and Pat Lunney, Denis and Annemarie McCarthy, Marilyn Kuster McGowan, and Jacqueline Lunney Murphy.
Members of my wife Allison’s family: Aunt Marlene Greene; her twin sister, Lorrie, and husband, Brett Conner; Lorrie’s son, Jason Jaeger; his wife, Moriah; and Brett’s daughter, Shannon; her sister, Robin, and her husband, Ron Patane; and children, Ronald, Rebecca, and Ryan; and his wife, Sarah; her sister, Jill, and her husband, Kevin Durham, and children, Justine and Kimberly.
My friends and neighbors from Jersey City: Beverly Beechum, Joe Breslin, Marie Breslin, Theresa Breslin, Timothy Breslin, Msgr. Robert Coleman, Joan and Jim Collins, Arlene Collins, Mary Ann and Pat Conte, Benny Darvalics, Joe Darvalics, Barbara Donahue, Joe Doyle, Carol Garrett, Barbara Garrett, Rev. William Hornack, Rev. Michael Hornack, Gladys and Tom Kelly, Patricia Kelly, Carol Kelly, Colleen Kelly, Kerry Kelly, Dennis Kelly, Tom Kelly Jr., Tommy Martin, Rich McCrystal, Billy McCrystal, Peggy McCrystal-Spina, Larry McGucken, Mary Ann McHugh, Donald Nagel, Claire Ruggiani, Joe Scarpa, Donna Smith, Tommy Timmerman, Gene Turner, and Joe Walsh.
My lifelong friends: the Dunphy Family; Eileen, Ed, Regina, Ann, and Mary.
My former classmates and teachers at PS 22: Margaret Boasci, Miss Burke, Robert Cauldren, Miss Demming, Anthony Gallo, Gene Mehl, Robert O’Brien, Tommy Scerbo, Louis Schuman, and Eileen Schwartz.
Holy Family School for the Blind Sisters, former students, and faculty: Sr. Gregory, Sr. Rose Magdalene, Sr. Anthony Marie, Sr. Redempta, Sr. Theresa Catherine Carbury, Sr. Ann Rutan, Sr. Ann Taylor, Antonio Cabrero, Martha Chojnacki, Diane Grimes, Sharon Kelly, Tommy McDoyle, Michael Moran, Margaret Mary Norton, Lois Perillo, Rafael Redding, Nancy Romer, Nancy Howes Scotto, Johnny Westerfield, Charles Wilson, Pauline Zook, Nadia Cartagena, Pat Conte, Mary Dixon, Ellen Fellicetta, Ella Frye, Donna Mejcz, Herb Miller, Zinnia Miller, Jerry Miller, Carolyn Norman, and Vincent Romano.
My neighbors and friends from the Weehawken/North Hudson County area: John Amato, Linda Peterson Connors, Peter Ellebrach, Madeline and Richard Gross, George and Frances Hanks, Buddy Hanks, George Hanks Jr., Jeannie Kelly, Rose Lamiere, David Lamiere, Donna Lamiere, Leon Malattia, Lois Kelly Marazzi, Ron Mardenly, Laura McLearmon, Donald Moeller, Richard Olsen, Stanley Olsen, Kevin Olsen, Gary Olsen, Ronald Olsen, Frank and Dorothy Pelsang, Nancy Pelsang, Charlie Richardson, Bob and Annmarie Riley, Augie and Rita Robbiani, George and Terry Robbiani, Janet Sofield, Dominic and Maryann Vitolo, Bruce Weil, and Steve Weil.
NY Institute for the Blind faculty and former students: Barbara Crane, Jolee Crane, Fred Dalton, Dr. Merle Frampton, James Francis, Lester Freel, Howard Green, Chuck Harther, Seth Hoard, Miss Kerney, James Meyers, Paul Mitchell, Sam Page, Sandra Penn, Pat Pepe, Miss Quinn, Harold Ray, Morton Romano, Miss Rosenberg, Bob Sullivan, Ed Taylor, Mary Alice Travis, Bob Whitstock, Myrna Witzkecz, and Sam Wolfe.
My former classmates and instructors at the Seeing Eye: Marjorie Dunn, Morris Frank, Fred Kreitzer, Peter Lang, Richard McStraw, Mrs. Pendleton, Marshall Seiber, Betty Sue Smith, Robert Stewart, and Morton Wagman.
Seton Hall University clergy: Rev. James Carey, Msgr. John Davis, Msgr. Thomas Fay, Msgr. Walter Jarvais, Rev. Edward Larkin, Msgr. McNulty, Rev. Rocky Provenzano, Rev. Phil Rotuno, Rev. Joseph Russell, Rev. Shea, and Msgr. Robert Sheeran.
Seton Hall faculty and Home Study readers: Ann Arlinghaus, Al Close, Claire Durasmo Copozzi, Mr. Flood, Martha Leet, and Marilyn Dundero Violone, and all the divinity students who helped me out.
My former classmates and buddies at Seton Hall: Claudio Assini, Barry Baum, John Bauman, Drew Bauman, Ed Bonner, Tony Capone, Richard DeFonce, George Franconero, Ed Gracken, Frank Kelly, Lou LaSalle, Gene Lynch, Bob Monahan, John Olsen, Louis Pagano, Mike Palowicz, Chuck Paolino, basketball coach Richie Regan, Jim Rhatigan, William Rhatigan, Mario Rosellini, Howard Rosenberg, baseball coach Mike Shepherd, Martin Smith, and Dick Vitale.
Former and current Seton Hall administrators: Matthew Borowick, Alan Delozier, President Gabriel Estaban, Joseph Guasconi, Heather Hurd, Jennifer Loysen, Greg Tobin, and Tom White.
My colleagues at Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company: Gladys Fetch, Morris Frank, Phil Gillis, Doug Johnson, Fred Kiefner, and Bill Lindemann.
My longtime Meadowview Hospital associates: Joe Barcelona, May Barcelona, John Buffano, Doreen Busacca, Terri Colligan, Mike Cusack, Don Daley, Evelyn Ellis, Carl Holzberg, Hilda Klapperstuck, Chief Arthur Mack, Roberto Muniz, Whitey Murphy, Dusty Murphy, and Al Stamboni.
Longtime friends: Richard and Maureen DeFonce, George and Arlene Franconero, John and Nancy Koneckny, George and Annette Mancini, Ron and Barbara Mardenly, Nick and Maryann Masters, Gene and Karen Mehl, and Skip and Bunny Willard.
Fellow Lions Club members: John Bacchia, Roger Barr, George Bassett, Herb and Kathy Bodensiek, Phyllis Boscio, Victor Braun, Melvyn Bray, Dennis and Rhea Brubaker, Jamie Brum, Jerry Caputo, Winster Ceballos, Dave and Florence Chandler, Rick Chittum, Lou Corsaro, Tim Courtney, Billy Blair Cunningham, Ralph DelPiano, Lenny and Dotty Dian, Bob and Marge Diehl, George and Barbara Dolan, Emery Duell, Louis Enthrop, Ed Fedush, Bob Frank, Jeff Gans, John Garbo, Ed Garrett, Tom and Claire Gartley, Bill Gaughan, Dave Gotha, Victor Graziano, Stanley Grossman, Vic Heineman, Jim Hynes, Elie Katz, Arthur Keyes, Marshall Klein, Al Knaub, Richard Kubik, Robert LaHullier, Charles Landesman, Jerry LaRosa, Gene Leperiore, George Lesnik, Joe and Helga Liccardo, Don and Rita MacAteer, Bob May, Doug McClure, George Meglio, Chris Metcalf, Paul and Sandy Meyer, Bob and Pat Millea, Bob and Elspeth Moore, Jim Murphy, Jack and Denise Nagel, Jose Nieto, Fred and Wilma Nolting, Mary Devon O’Brien, Alberto Perez, Bernie and Dottie Pryor, Chris Reichert, Manny Reyes, Nat Rogoff, Mike Roman, Al Rottini, Phil Rottini, Bud Rottini, Carl Rubenacker, Al Ruffini, Paul Sarlo, Doug Schembs, Dick and Helen Schneider, Chris Snyder, Joe Solda, Dan Stenchever, Phil Stern, Bob Talamini, Tim Trossman, Ken Turtoro, and Bob Warsak.
Political friends and associates: Gov. Brendan Byrne, Maureen Corcoran, Gov. Richard Cody, Gov. Jon Corzine, Richard Cullen, Mayor Glen Cunningham, Congressman Dominick Daniels, Tom DeGeise, Ann Dudsak, John Dudsak, Mayor Frank Eggers, Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons, Mayor Steven Fulop, Councilman Bill Gaughan, Eileen Gaughan, Mayor Frank Hague, Bernie Hartnett, Mayor Jeremiah Healy, John Higgins, Gov. Richard Hughes, Gov. Thomas Kean, Democratic leader J. V. Kenny, Mayor Charles Krause, Bill LaRosa, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Steve Lipsky, Michael Luggiero, Nick Mastorelli, Mayor Jerry McCann, Senator Robert Menendez, Freeholder Bill O’Dea, Judge Tom Oliveri, Chief of Staff Regina O’Neill, Councilman Charles Pruscetta, Assemblyman David Russo, Mayor Brett Schundler, Judge Richard Simeone, State Senator Loretta Weinberg, Gov. Christie Todd Whitman, Willie Wolf, Judge John Yengo, and Jeannie Zampaglione.
Directors and staff of New York Yankees Media Relations: Marty Appel, Rick Cerrone, Jackie Farrell, Bob Fishel, Harvey Greene, Irv Kaze, Mickey Morabito, Ken Nigro, Arthur Richman, Joe Safety, David Szen, Larry Wahl, Jason Zillo, Dolores Hernandez, Kenny Leandry, Justin Long, Michael Margolis, Lauren Moran, Connie Schwab, Alex Trochinowski, and Ben Tuliebitz.
The Steinbrenner family: George M. Steinbrenner III, Joan Steinbrenner, Hal Steinbrenner, Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, Steve Swindal, Jessica Steinbrenner Lopez, Felix Lopez, and Hank Steinbrenner.
New York Yankee executives and staff: Randy Levine, Lonn Trost, Brian Cashman, Clyde King, Gene Michael, Sonny Haight, Al Rosen, Gabe Paul, Debbie Tymon, David Bernstein, Michael Bonner, Theresa Buonomo, Gina Chindemi, Rob Cucuzza, Lou Cucuzza Sr., Lou Cucuzza Jr., Steve Donahue, Mary Durante, John Esposito, Eddie Fasthook, Samantha Giraud, Betsy Leesman, Chris Granazio, Annette Guardabascio, Rocky Halsey, Eddie Layton, Ann Mileo, Gene Monahan, Tony Morante, Debbie Nicolisi, Bob Sheppard, Frank Swain, Joe Violone, and Monica Yurman.
New York Mets executives and staff: Fred and Jeff Wilpon, Jay Horowitz, Shannon Forde, Ethan Wilson, Stella Fiore, Sandy Alderson, Frank Cashen, Jim Duquette, Al Harazin, Joe McIlvaine, and Omar Minaya.
Broadcasters and writers: Al Albert, Kenny Albert, Marv Albert, Steve Albert, Mel Allen, Joe Angel, Richie Ashburn, Red Barber, Jack Buck, Joe Buck, Harry Caray, Skip Caray, Joe Castiglione, Tom Cheek, Gary Cohen, Jerry Coleman, David Cone, Ron Darling, Bill Daughtry, Bob Delaney, Dick Enberg, John Flaherty, Ray Fosse, George Frazier, Joe Garagiola, Marty Glickman, John Gordon, Don Gould, Doug Gould, Curt Gowdy, George Grande, Wayne Hagin, Ken (Hawk) Harrelson, Ernie Harwell, Fran Healy, Keith Hernandez, Russ Hodges, Jerry Howarth, Rex Hudler, Jim Hunter, Tommy Hutton, Jay Johnstone, Jim Kaat, Harry Kalas, Michael Kay, Gene Kelly, Ralph Kiner, Al Leiter, Josh Lewin, Ann Ligouri, Dick Lynch, Tom McCarthy, Tim McCarver, Frank Messer, Jon Miller, Rick Monday, Joe Morgan, Bobby Murcer, Bob Murphy, Richard Neer, Lindsey Nelson, Paul O’Neill, Bob Papa, Ed Randall, Phil Rizzuto, John Rooney, Howie Rose, Spencer Ross, Chris Russo, Byron Saam, Vin Scully, Mike Shannon, Lonn Simmons, Dave Sims, Chris Singleton, Ken Singleton, Charlie Steiner, John Sterling, Gary Thorne, Jeff Torborg, Al Trautwig, Bob Uecker, Pete Van Wieren, Suzyn Waldman, Chris Wheeler, Bill White, Bob Wolfe, Jim Woods, Maury Allen, Joe Auriemma, Andrew Baumgarten, Bruce Beck, Juan Benet, Joe Benigno, Dave Buscema, Pete Caldera, Dan Castellano, Duke Castiglone, Scott Clark, Ed Coleman, Jack Curry, Bill Daughtry, Joe Donnelly, Maurice DuBois, Charlie Einstein, Mark Feinsand, David Fenster, Mike Francesa, Bill Gallo, Dan Graziano, Jim Hague, John Harper, Jon Heyman, Kim Jones, Raquel Julich, Harry Jupiter, Howie Karpin, Tyler Kepner, Kevin Kernan, Bob Klapisch, Moss Klein, Arnie Leshin, Otis Livingston, Bob Lorenz, Matt Loughlin, Mike Lupica, Bill Madden, Steve Malzberg, Mike Mancuso, Rich Marazzi, Andrew Marchand, Sal Marchiano, Bill Mazer, Mike McCann, Bud Mishken, John Montone, Sweeney Murti, Hideo Nakamura, Ian O’Connor, Paul Post, Evan Roberts, Ken Rosenthal, Chris Russo, Art Rust Jr., Russ Salzberg, Dick Schaap, Jeremy Schaap, Dan Schlossberg, Bill Shannon, Joel Sherman, Claire Smith, Steve Somers, Bobby Trainor, George Vescey, Joey Wahler, Willie Weinbaum, Kevin Williams, Warner Wolf, Bob Wolfe, and Harvey Zucker.
Major League Baseball officials: John Blundell, Dr. Bobby Brown, Tony Clark, Leonard Coleman, Blake Cullen, Charles (Chub) Feeney, Katie Feeney, Donald Fehr, Bart Giamatti, Bowie Kuhn, Bob Laurie, Lee McPhail, Phyllis Merhige, Peter O’Malley, Bud Selig, Horace Stoneham, Faye Vincent, Michael Weiner, Bill White, and Bob Wirz.
National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Vice President of Communications Brad Horn.
Ed Lucas Foundation Gene Michael Golf Classic Committee members: Herb Bodensiek, Tom Bragen, Ray Bulin, Tim Courtney, Rich Cutter, Donna DelMauro, Joe DiDio, Ed Dunphy, Mary Dunphy, James Fiorentino, Eileen Fitzpatrick, Jack Grew, Michael Grew, Brian Hirschberg, Howie Horowitz, Joanne Ippolito, George Kolodinsky, Dan Leonardi, Frank Luca, Michael Mortorano, Jim Murphy, Charlie O’Neill, Regina O’Neill, Ronald Patane, John Pennisi, Giovanna Psolka, Gene Rear, Harold Reeves, Rick Reeves, Dan Replogle, Andy Richter, Tom Rushforth, Al Russo, Christopher Russo, David Russo, Lydia Russo, Matthew Russo, Rhoda Russo, Robert Russo, John Sasso, Diane Tagliabue, Diane Thomas, Vince Thomas, Cathy Werner, Jay Zaslower, and Harvey Zucker.
Special friends: Elliot and Lynn Abbott, Gracie Abbott, Liza Abbott, Danny Barrett, David Berkowitz, Yogi and Carmen Berra, Larry Berra, Lou Biancone, Jay Boyle, Ann Brindisi, the Staff at Brooklake Country Club, Larry Brown, Ken and Jennifer Browne, Jimmy Brozzetti, Ed Byrnes, Fred Cambria, Gary Cardiello, MD, Frank Cardiello, MD, Donald Cinnotti, MD, Shaun Clancy, Patsy Ann Connor, Kevin Connors, Pat and Mary Ann Conte, Dominic and Carmella Conte, Gerry Cooney, Gene Coppola, Mike Costa, Ed Crouse, Al Cruz, Howard Danzig, Ken Dashow, Bill Daughtry, John and Theresa Dillon, Bob Dixon, Jim Donovan, Al Durrell, John Filone, Paul Finnazo, Greg Floyd, Steve Fortunato, Pete Francisco, Mary Gallagher, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, Barbara and Lefty George, Bonnie George, Ron and Lynn Goltsch, Bob Greenhut, Richie Gutch, Joseph Hakim, Barry Halper, Randy Hamlette, Al Hamrah, Bruce Harper, Paul Holden, Steve Jezek, Tommy John, Steve Kalafer, Alan Kalter, Jeannie Kelly, Robert Klein, Chris Kotsopolous, Norma Kreitzer, Bob Lang, Lou LaSalle, Tommy Leach, Jerry Lioi, Lorna Mack, Paul Magda, Bob Mannetta, Mark Markowitz, Tommy Martin, Ryan Millea, Paul Mirabella, John Mooney, Ross Moschitto, Mike Murphy, Eamon Nally, Karl Nelson, Randy Neumann, Kevin O’Connor, Tom and Tracy O’Neill, Lucille Pennisi, Joe Pennisi, John Pennisi, Tom Pennisi, Paul and Elaine Piscitelli, Sue Ragas, Joe Ressler, Scott Ring, Cindy Rizzuto, Patty Rizzuto, Penny Rizzuto, Phil Rizzuto, Jr., Dennis Rizzuto, Lee Rizzuto, Sr., Lee Rizzuto, Jr., Mitchell Ross, Tom Sabellica, Chuck Sales, Patrick Sales, Al Santorini, Barbara Ann Reilly Schick, Stan Schick, John Setzer, Tommy Shine, Luke Stahl, Alice Steller, Steve Stone, Penny Taylor, Jim and Terri Wentz, Robert Willard, Tom Witt, Mark Yusko, Bill and Heidi Ziff, and Dominick Zurzulo.
Extra special thanks to: Diane and Vince Thomas for their help in compiling this list.
Major League Baseball Players: Hank Aaron, Jim Abbott, Tommie Agee, Neil Allen, Richie Allen, Felipe Alou, Jesus Alou, Matty Alou, Walter Alston. Joey Amalfitano, Sparky Anderson, Luis Aparacio, Luis Arroyo, Richie Ashburn, Wally Backman, Ed Bailey, Dusty Baker, Steve (Bye Bye) Balboni, Ernie Banks, Willie Banks, Jesse Barfield, Hank Bauer, Don Baylor, Jim Beattie, Buddy Bell, David Bell, Gus Bell, Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Craig Biggio, Joe Black, Paul Blair, Johnny Blanchard, Ron Blomberg, Vida Blue, Bert Blyleven, Bruce Bochy, Wade Boggs, Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonds, Aaron Boone, Bob Boone, BretBoone, Ken Boswell, Lou Boudreau, Jim Bouton, Larry Bowa, Clete Boyer, Ken Boyer, Ralph Branca, Craig Breslow, George Brett, Lou Brock, Scott Brosius, Jay Buhner, Lew Burdette, Tommy Byrne, Matt Cain, Fred Cambria, Roy Campanella, Robinson Cano, Jose Canseco, Rod Carew, Gary Carter, Orlando Cepeda, Rick Cerrone, Bob Cerv, Ron Cey, Joba Chamberlain, Chris Chambliss, Ed Charles, Jack Clark, Will Clark, Horace Clarke, Roger Clemens, Phil Coke, Jerry Coleman, Joe Collins, David Cone, Mark Connor, Billy Connors, Joe Cowley, Billy Cox, Bobby Cox, Frank Crosetti, Johnny Damon, Alvin Dark, Ron Darling, Jim Davenport, Chili Davis, Tommy Davis, Willie Davis, Andre Dawson, Dizzy Dean, Rick Dempsey, Bucky Dent, Bill Dickey, Dom DiMaggio, Joe DiMaggio, Larry Doby, Bobby Doerr, Al Downing, Brian Doyle, Don Drysdale, Dave Duncan, Shelley Duncan, Ryne Duren, Leo Durocher, Duffy Dyer, Dennis Eckersley, Carl Erskine, Darrell Evans, Dwight Evans, Bob Feller, Tony Ferrara, Mark Fidrych, Cecil Fielder, Ed Figueroa, Rollie Fingers, Jack Fisher, Carlton Fisk, Curt Flood, Whitey Ford, Frankie Frisch, Carl Furillo, Oscar Gamble, Brett Gardner, Steve Garvey, Chad Gaudin, Gary Gentry, Bob Gerin, Jason Giambi, Bob Gibson, Kirk Gibson, Joe Girardi, Tom Glavine, Lefty Gomez, Doc Gooden, Goose Gossage, Curtis Granderson, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Dallas Green, Ken Griffey Sr., Ken Griffey Jr., Ron Guidry, Tony Gwynn, Steve Hamilton, Bud Harrelson, Fran Healy, Ed Hearn, Jim Hearn, Todd Helton, Rickey Henderson, Tommy Henrich. Gene Hermanski, Keith Hernandez, Orlando (El Duque) Hernandez, Tommy Herr, Orel Hersheiser, Whitey Herzog, Chuck Hiller, Gil Hodges, Rogers Hornsby, Ralph Houk, Elston Howard, Frank Howard, Steve Howe, Dick Howser, Phil Hughes, Randy Hundley, Todd Hundley, Ron Hunt, Catfish Hunter, Torii Hunter, Clint Hurdle, Fred Hutchinson, Raul Ibanez, Monte Irvin, Al Jackson, Reggie Jackson, Larry Jansen, Ferguson Jenkins, Derek Jeter, Davey Johnson, Howard Johnson, Randy Johnson, Chipper Jones, David Justice, Al Kaline, Johnny Keane, Roberto Kelley, Pat Kelly, Jimmy Key, Harmon Killebrew, Dave Kingman, Jerry Koosman, Sandy Koufax, Ed Kranepool, John Kruk, Tony Kubek, Hobie Landrith, Hal Lanier, Max Lanier, Dave Lapoint, Adam LaRoche, Dave LaRoche, Don Larsen, Tony LaRussa, Tommy Lasorda, Al Leiter, Mark Leiter, Bob Lemon, Jim Leyritz, Tim Lincecum, Phil Linz, Graeme Lloyd, Whitey Lockman, Dale Long, Kevin Long, Ed Lopat, Al Lopez, Hector Lopez, Sparky Lyle, Gil MacDougald, Greg Maddux, Dave Magadan, Sal Maglie, Bobby Malkmus, Mickey Mantle, Charlie Manuel, Juan Marichal, Roger Maris, Billy Martin, Pedro Martinez, Tino Martinez, Jon Matlack, Hideki Matsui, Eddie Matthews, Don Mattingly, Rudy May, Willie Mays, Bill Mazeroski, Tim McCarver, Mike McCormick, Willie McCovey, Lindy McDaniel, Von McDaniel, Roger McDowell, Sam McDowell, Tug McGraw, Mark McGwire, Dave McNally, Bobby Meacham, Doug Melvin, Ramiro Mendoza, Stump Merrill, Hensley (Bam Bam) Meulens, Gene Michael, Felix Millan, Paul Mirabella, Johnny Mize, Bengie Molina, Jose Molina, Yadier Molina, Paul Molitor, John (The Count) Montefusco, Rich Monteleone, Wally Moon, Joe Morgan, Jack Morris, Ross Moschitto, Don Mueller, Thurman Munson, Bobby Murcer, Dale Murphy, Stan Musial, Mike Mussina, Jeff Nelson, Graig Nettles, Don Newcomb, Phil Niekro, Joe Niekro, Matt Noakes, Tony Oliva, Buck O’Neil, Jose Oquendo, Jesse Orosco, David Ortiz, Joe Page, Mike Pagliarulo, Jim Palmer, Mel Parnell, Dustin Pedroia, Tony Pena, Tony Perez, Gaylord Perry, Jim Perry, Johnny Pesky, Fritz Peterson, Andy Pettitte, Jimmy Piersall, Joe Pignatano, Lou Piniella, Johnny Podres, Jorge Posada, Boog Powell, Kirby Puckett, Tim Raines, Manny Ramirez, Willie Randolph, Vic Raschi, Dennis Rasmussen, Jeff Reardon, Pee Wee Reese, Hal Reniff, Jose Reyes, Allie Reynolds, Bobby Richardson, Dave Righetti, Bill Rigney, Jose Rijo, Cal Ripken, Jr., Mariano Rivera, Mickey Rivers, Robin Roberts, David Robertson, Bill Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Pete Rose, John Roseboro, Al Rosen, Nolan Ryan, CC Sabathia, Ray Sadecki, Johnny Sain, Billy Sample, Ryne Sandberg, Dion Sanders, Pablo Sandoval, Al Santorini, Mike Schmidt, Red Schoendienst, Tom Seaver, Art Shamsky, Bobby Shantz, Gary Sheffield, Buck Showalter, Charlie Silvera, Chris Singleton, Ken Singleton, Bill (Moose) Skowron, Enos Slaughter, Aaron Small, Ozzie Smith, John Smoltz, Duke Snider, Luis Sojo, Sammy Sosa, Warren Spahn, Shane Spencer, Chris Spier, Andy Stankiewicz, Fred Stanley, Mike Stanley, Mike Stanton, Willie Stargell, Rusty Staub, Casey Stengel, Mel Stottlemyre, Darryl Strawberry, Tom Sturdivant, Don Sutton, Nick Swisher, Ron Swoboda, Mark Teixeira, Frank Tepedino, Ralph Terry, Tim Teufel, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Bobby Thomson, Luis Tiant, Jeff Torborg, Mike Torrez, Tom Tresh, Bob Turley, Jim Turner, Bobby Valentine, Johnny VanderMeer, Randy Velarde, Adam Wainwright, Harry (The Hat) Walker, Rube Walker, Earl Weaver, David Wells, Wes Westrum, Bill White, Roy White, Bob Wickman, Hoyt Wilhelm, Bernie Williams, Billy Williams, Dick Williams, Gerald Williams, Matt Williams, Ted Williams, Mookie Wilson, Dave Winfield, Gene Woodling, David Wright, Butch Wynegar, Carl Yastrzemski, Robin Yount, Sal Yvars, and Don Zimmer.
To all the other ballplayers, coaches, managers, family, friends, and supporters not mentioned in this list, I thank you all. God has truly blessed my life in abundance with your presence. I am forever grateful to Him for it.