The Yankees Go Hollywood!
By Carol Silva
Have you heard? The NY Yankees are now going to star in their own movie! It’s called “Henry and Me!” A-Rod, Derek, Hideki and Mariano are just a few of the superstars, about to become animated stars! And it’s the story of a little boy named “Jack” – who has cancer. Young Jack finds hope by meeting the spirits of long gone Yankee greats. Just before the old Yankee Stadium is torn down, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Elston Howard and Billy Martin are among those who come to play one last game.
I spent a day in a Manhattan recording studio as Alex Rodriguez and Yankee Manager Joe Girardi gave voice to their roles. A-Rod plays R-Rod, and Joe does double duty – as himself – the Yankees Manager, and as the father of young Jack’s little friend Sissy. Joe and Alex both told me the same thing – that it’s much easier being in front of tens of thousands, in a “bottom of the 9th, down one run” scenario, than it is being in a NYC recording studio, in front of only about 20 people! Alex says the booth is much harder because, “I’m such an awful actor!”
“Henry and Me” is based on three children’s books written by Elmont’s Ray Negron. Ray knew Yankee Stadium as a child himself – but as a Bronx street kid. In fact, in the 1970s when he was 16, Ray was arrested. The Yanks’ “new owner” caught him spray painting a Yankee logo on the walls of the hallowed Yankee Stadium. George Steinbrenner himself caught Ray. But then “The Boss” pulled Ray out of the jail cell down in the bowels of the old stadium, and made Ray work off the damages – as a Yankee batboy. It’s a day that Ray says changed his life, “He gave me life. The aspect of believing in me. That I’m just as good as everyone else.” And Ray says that “second chance” he got from Mr. Steinbrenner is at the heart of young Jack’s struggle with cancer. “It’s that if we have something wrong in our life – if we are sick – it doesn’t mean that we have 3 strikes. It means that we can come back and still win.” Ray calls George Steinbrenner the greatest man he’s ever known. Mr. Steinbrenner made Ray finish high school and go to college. He even watched over him during the years of Ray’s pro-baseball career. Today, Ray Negron is a power house. He is a consultant to the Yankees, director of community relations for Spalding, America’s oldest baseball company, a father of four, a children’s book author and now a movie producer!
“Henry and Me” is based on three children’s books written by Elmont’s Ray Negron. Ray knew Yankee Stadium as a child himself – but as a Bronx street kid. In fact, in the 1970s when he was 16, Ray was arrested. The Yanks’ “new owner” caught him spray painting a Yankee logo on the walls of the hallowed Yankee Stadium. George Steinbrenner himself caught Ray. But then “The Boss” pulled Ray out of the jail cell down in the bowels of the old stadium, and made Ray work off the damages – as a Yankee batboy. It’s a day that Ray says changed his life, “He gave me life. The aspect of believing in me. That I’m just as good as everyone else.” And Ray says that “second chance” he got from Mr. Steinbrenner is at the heart of young Jack’s struggle with cancer. “It’s that if we have something wrong in our life – if we are sick – it doesn’t mean that we have 3 strikes. It means that we can come back and still win.” Ray calls George Steinbrenner the greatest man he’s ever known. Mr. Steinbrenner made Ray finish high school and go to college. He even watched over him during the years of Ray’s pro-baseball career. Today, Ray Negron is a power house. He is a consultant to the Yankees, director of community relations for Spalding, America’s oldest baseball company, a father of four, a children’s book author and now a movie producer!
By the way, the real superstar of last week’s recording was Serena Girardi.
Joe Jirardi and his 2 daughters
Joe’s 9-1/2 year old daughter. She was sensational! Serena went to drama camp last summer, but has never had any professional experience – until now! Everyone was blown away by the way she captured little Sissy’s fondness for her sick friend Jack.
In an interview later, Serena told me, after her first three lines, she wasn’t nervous. (Dad couldn’t say the same.) And I asked her to tell me something about her world famous NY Yanks skipper Dad. After “ummming” for a few minutes she said — “He has a lot of gray hair!” But then Serena told me the story of her braces. When she was 5, Joe told her if she ever needed braces, he’d get them too. Well, Serena has braces today and watch out for this. Yanks’ manager Joe Girardi will have braces before this year is over! What a man of his word. What character. I just love this guy.
Joe acknowledges there’s Yankee Magic. He believes it comes from the expectations set by former Yankee greats, and by George Steinbrenner himself. “When you see Yogi walking thru the clubhouse, you don’t want to let him down. You don’t want to let Mr. Steinbrenner down. You don’t want to let Reggie Jackson down. Whether it’s Whitey Ford that you see, out there, there are a lot of great things that happen.”
Here are some other tidbits about “Henry and Me.” The movie will be released next March in Tampa, during Yankee Spring Training season. Then it’ll come here to NY and the Tribeca Film Festival. Ray Negron is also going to have a big LI grand opening, at a location to be picked in the future.
Jose Feliciano Prepares to Record
Also starring in “Henry and Me,” Jose Feliciano is young Jack’s doctor. Paul Simon is the voice of Thurman Munson. Hideki Matsui, Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia are themselves. The voice of George Steinbrenner was recorded by his son Hank Steinbrenner. Actor Chazz Palinteri is the voice of Babe Ruth. Oh, and actor Richard Gere is voice of “Henry.” And who the heck is Henry – who helps young Jack find hope – anyway? He’s Henry Louis Gehrig – also known as the greatest – Lou Gehrig.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:02 am
As other news reports this week have been about child endangerment and teen violence, I think it’s worth pointing out that, baseball aside, Ray (who I only know by reputation) changed his life because someone (sure, someone with clout) gave him real-world responsibility. It’s a shame that so many kids (especially today) are ready for responsibility and even NEED it, and yet we…give them extra standardized tests and shield them from the outside world. (And we burn out teachers and parents doing it.)
Are we afraid that kids will grow up to be like Ray…?
June 25th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
who r u holding carol?
June 26th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Meghan, so you like my “Girardi Family Photo!” Joe’s tall, lovely wife isn’t there at that moment. So I’m holding Joe and Kim Girardi’s littlest daughter. Lina is 2-1/2, and took some great pictures with my still camera – of belly buttons and feet – but cute nonetheless.
And John, I completely agree. As a mother of teenagers, and a long time boys and girls soccer coach, I learned long ago from wiser people that I — the best way to build confidence in kids – is giving them more responsibilities! You’re right on target!
October 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
“Joe Jirardi and his 2 daughters”
Jirardi? Seriously?