In 1999, Rangers assistant director of player development Jake Krug was playing third base behind Grayson County Community College teammate John Lackey on the way to the Vikings’ Junior College World Series title.
Chuck Morgan was holding court before 2.8 million fans in what was the Rangers’ third playoff season out of four.
That year, Michael Young was playing his final full season in the Toronto system, splitting time between second base and shortstop for High A Dunedin.
Also in 1999, Chuck Greenberg helped Mario Lemieux save the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins from bankruptcy.
Eleven years later, they all converged in a packed room at Sherlock’s Baker St. Pub in North Dallas, each talking about what it will take to get the Rangers back to where they haven’t been since that 1999 season.
I have a lot to say about last night’s event, but I’m a bit tired this morning and think I’ll put it off for a day or two.
Between your generosity during the live auction, and Michael & Cristina’s matching contribution, Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer has $10,470 more do good things with. Inspiring.
When I write next, I’ll have links to others’ write-ups and photos from the party. In the meantime, you can watch Ted Price’s live video stream of the entire event at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4405103. (Not sure how many days it will remain up, but I think it will be there all day today.)
That was a blast. Thanks to everyone who was there.
Luther, thanks for making the auction so authentic and lively. I have no doubt that we raised twice as much money as we would have without you.
Thanks again.
Jamey
Well, I made a mistake. It happens.
I made a mistake about how much you all contributed Tuesday night at our Sherlock’s event to support Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. When I told you it was $10,470, that was wrong.
It was actually $12,170.
That’s pretty great.
There’s a video on Sherlock’s Facebook of Annette Leslie’s meaningful comments about her son Carson, about Michael Young, and about Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. Watch it: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=103764279652365#!/video/video.php?v=103794122982714
I was motivated to sit down and write up a recap of the event, but I’m having some computer issues, on top of which it’s really not necessary for me to summarize things. You can watch the entire Q&A portions with Jake Krug, Chuck Greenberg, and Michael Young, moderated by Chuck Morgan, courtesy of Ted Price’s video footage, at www.newbergreport.com. Click “Media/Video” on the top menu.
Plenty of recaps out there, too:
Eleanor Czajka: http://emcmlb.blogspot.com/2010/02/newberg-report-wipe-out-kids-cancer.html
ESPN’s Richard Durrett: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallastexas-rangers/post/_/id/4843769/newberg-report-party-is-online
A handful of Tweets from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Jeff Wilson: http://twitter.com/JeffWilson_FWST
The Dallas Observer’s Richie Whitt: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/sportatorium/2010/02/chuck_greenberg_is_dare_i_say.php
The Fan’s Sybil Summers (video interview with Chuck Greenberg from the event): http://www.1053thefan.com/ (under “Fan Tube”)
Home on the Rangers’ Brandon Wilson: http://homeontherangers.com/2010/02/03/newberg-book-night-and-qa/
Texas Summer Heat’s Roger Busby: http://tsheat.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/02/newberg-night-attended-short-hops.html
Lone Star Ball message board: http://www.lonestarball.com/2010/2/2/1288723/final-details-for-tonights
And Eleanor’s photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/EleanorCzajka/NewbergReportWipeOutKidsCancerCharityEvent#
We were sold out of Carson’s book minutes after the event got underway. If you weren’t one of the five who bid on and won a copy signed by Michael Young (those went for $500, $375, $375, $375, and $275), you can get a copy of “Carry Me” at www.carrymecarson.com, at under $18.