Senate Resolution No. 5652

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING Joe Torre upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2018 Italian
American of the Year Award by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster
ethnic pride and strive to preserve their cultural heritage, thereby
enhancing the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric
of community throughout this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Joe Torre upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2018 Italian American of the Year Award by the New York Conference
of Italian American State Legislators to be celebrated on Monday, June
4, 2018, in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Hall of Famer Joe Torre currently serves as Major League
Baseball's Chief Baseball Officer, overseeing all baseball operations;
since 2011, he has been the Office of the Commissioner's primary liaison
to the general managers and field managers of the 30 Major League Clubs
and the Major League Umpires; and

WHEREAS, Joe Torre, a manager for 29 seasons, ranks fifth all-time
with 2,326 managerial wins; he led the New York Yankees to four World
Series Championships, six American League pennants and 12 Postseason
appearances in his 12 years (1996-2007) as manager; and

WHEREAS, The two-time American League Manager of the Year also led
the New York Mets (1977-1981), the Atlanta Braves (1982-1984), the St.
Louis Cardinals (1990-1995) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2008-2010); and

WHEREAS, Joe Torre made his managerial debut with the Mets on May
31, 1977, becoming the first player-manager in the Majors since 1959; he
went on to manage Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in 2013, and
served as the General Manager for WBC Champion Team USA in 2017; and

WHEREAS, During his exceptional 18-year playing career with the
Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1960-1968), the Cardinals (1969-1974) and the
Mets (1975-1977), the nine-time All-Star compiled a .297 batting
average, 2,342 hits and 252 home runs; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was the National League's 1971 Most
Valuable Player, batting .363 with 24 home runs and a league-leading 137
RBI; and

WHEREAS, On December 9, 2013, the National Baseball Hall of Fame
announced its Expansion Era Committee had unanimously elected Joe Torre
to its Class of 2014; he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 27,
2014, in Cooperstown, New York; and

WHEREAS, On August 23, 2014, Joe Torre's number six was retired by
the Yankees, making him the 17th individual to receive such an honor;
and

WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Joe Torre is the Chairman of the
Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, which he and his wife, Ali, launched
in 2002, to develop educational programs in an effort to end the cycle
of domestic violence and save lives; since its inception, the Foundation
has educated thousands of students, parents, teachers and school faculty
about the devastating effects of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, Joe Torre is the co-author of three books entitled, The
Yankee Years, Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners, and Chasing the
Dream; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Ali, with him throughout have been
his four children, Michael, Cristina, Lauren and Andrea, who have all
shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Joe Torre upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2018 Italian American of the Year Award by the New York Conference
of Italian American State Legislators; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joe Torre.