Yankees’ Urshela Takes Theater Stage with Cone for Good Cause
Yankees’ third baseman Gio Urshela has spent the summer making a name for himself in the Bronx, brandishing the soft hands that summon the ghost of Graig Nettles, the godfather of the hot corner in the ‘70s.
While the Bombers continue on a torrid pace for 100-plus wins and a trip to the post-season, Urshela has been good enough to make club executives forget about the very talented player he replaced – Miguel Andújar.
It remains to be seen whether Urshela will be a permanent fixture. That depends on Andújar’s recovery in 2020 from surgery to repair a torn labrum. In the meantime, Urshela has become one of the team’s rock stars: easy-going, friendly, still amazed at his fast climb up the Yankees depth chart. But not only is Urshela showing the Bombers a good glove – he is proving to have a big heart, too.
When most of his teammates will be enjoying a day off on Aug. 1, Urshela will perform in the play “Bat Boy” at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. Based on a true story of community activist Ray Negron’s life, “Bat Boy” has been brought to the stage in several venues in the New York metropolitan area since last summer.
This particular performance, however, is special, because all proceeds will go toward medical care for ALS patient Danny Colon. Negron, who began his career with the Yankees, is the bat boy featured in the play. He approached Urshela about appearing in the play.
He explained Colon’s need for help, asking Urshela if he could spare a few hours as a makeshift actor. The Colombian native couldn’t say yes fast enough.
“I never met Danny but when I heard about his situation, of course, I said I would help,” Urshela said. “Everyone has told me what a great person he is. I want to do anything I can on his behalf. I’m looking forward to this play. It should be fun.”
Assistance from the Yankees family won’t end with Urshela. David Cone, Bernie Williams and Bucky Dent will also appear in the play.
The family of the late Thurman Munson, which raises money for AHRC New York City Foundation and was one of the play’s sponsors, has directed all proceeds from the Bat Boy event to Colon.
“It’s something I know Thurman would do,” said his wife, Diane.
With so much goodwill and love directed his way, the 52-year-old Colon continues to fight this terrible disease for which there is no cure.
Colon’s medical situation has been further compromised by his family’s financial distress: their health insurance policy has exhausted its lifetime benefits. With all other savings nearly depleted, the Colons, living in a modest home in Wayne, N.J., are down to a month-to-month existence.
Soon it will be week-to-week. Before long, without help, they will be destitute.
“I’ve tried to stay positive. I keep sending prayers up,” Colon said. “I know there are so many people looking out for me. I can’t even begin to thank them enough.”
Colon has already caught two breaks. A family member who is friends with one of former big league slugger Bobby Bonilla’s cousins connected the two clans. Bonilla, who like Colon is a Bronx-born Puerto Rican, has pledged to help Danny with souvenirs and autographed memorabilia.
News that Bonilla was on board appeared in the New York Post on June 15, thanks to sports columnist Mike Vaccaro. The story of Colon’s tough luck and those who’ve vowed to help moved former Mets star Ron Darling to donate $5,000 to the family’s GoFundMe page.
Darling, who recently underwent surgery to remove a cancer-related mass on his chest, read Vaccaro’s online column at 6 a.m. on June 16. Within one hour he had sent a text asking for the fastest way to send Colon money.
That’s not just charity. That’s love.
Tickets for Bat Boy can be purchased at Hostoscenter.org
Those who want to help the Colon family directly can do so at #RallyCaps! Help Dan’s Cost of ALS
Featured Image: Hannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport