On July 7, Foley's, the midtown Manhattan pub and home to the Irish Baseball Hall of Fame, will induct its second class of the best of the Irish in baseball.
New members include former popular Yankee first baseman Paul O’Neill, Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, TV talk show host Jimmy Fallon, as well as Water O’Malley, who is infamous for relocating the Brooklyn Dodgers to LA. Steve Garvey, LA Dodgers first baseman from the 1970s, is also an inductee this year.
The members, drawn from all walks of baseball life, are selected primarily by Shaun Clancy, the proprietor of Foley's and founder of The Irish baseball Hall of Fame, as well as its curator, John Mooney.
According to Shaun, Irish Hall of Fame candidates are judged by three criteria: Involvement in baseball, Irishness, and, in his words, “being a good guy and giving back”.
These traits were embodied by Red Foley, the legendary Yankees reporter and statistician, after whom the bar was named. Foley was part of the inaugural first class that included “The Grandfather of baseball” Connie Mack, ’69 Mets hero Tug McGraw, Kevin Costner, and Mark McGuire.
Each honoree will receive inscribed plaques, one of which will be on display at the Foley's. Also, donations will be made in the name of the members to the baseball charities Ed Randall’s at Bat For The Cure and Umps Care.
Foley's, located right across the street from the Empire State Building on 31st and 5th, makes the perfect spot for the Irish Baseball Hall of Fame as it houses over 5,000 pieces of sports memorabilia .Highlights of the collection include 2,000 autographed baseballs, Joe Torre’s last game ball as a Yankee and a soon-to-be- featured 2007 Red Sox Championship ring.
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