How about lunch? How about lunch with Doc Gooden? How about lunch with Doc Gooden for a compelling baseball cause?
If any or all of the above intrigues you, look into what’s coming three weeks from today, Saturday, February 21, in White Plains. It’s an opportunity to spend some quality time with one of the premier pitchers in Mets history, enjoy some quality food in the process and set the stage for pinching yourself afterwards.
It’s Lunch With Doc [1], presented by the Baseball United Foundation [2], an organization devoted to growing our National Pastime at home and abroad. The accent this month is on Ireland, with proceeds from the upcoming luncheon directed toward providing equipment and coaching to youth baseball players on the Emerald Isle. Irish eyes will surely be smiling as they get better acquainted and acclimated to the greatest game ever invented. (The Kensico Little League in Valhalla will also benefit from this fundraiser.)
Thirty years ago at this time, it was Metropolitan eyes that were beaming in anticipation of what twenty-year-old Doc Gooden was going to do in his sophomore season. He had just been named Rookie of the Year and was about to embark on a journey that would take him to the mountaintop, or at least the peak of every mound [3] from Shea Stadium to Chavez Ravine.
You would’ve given your right arm (if not his) to get close to Doc in those days. Based on personal experience [4], if you had a spare digit to sacrifice thirty years later for a chance to talk to and hear from Doc, you’d think about doing it. With this luncheon, you can keep your fingers and toes intact.
The event will take place at Graziella’s Italian Bistro in White Plains on the afternoon of the 21st, starting at 12:30 and going through 2:30. Tickets — which entitle the bearer to a three-course meal; a choice of beer, wine or soda with which to wash it down; and, oh yes, plenty of Doc (he’ll talk, he’ll answer audience questions, he’ll sign any one item that you bring) — are priced at $150, but you, dear Faith and Fear reader, get your seat at the table for $125 by entering the handy code FaithAndFear when you make your purchase.
How many Saturday afternoons do you get to enjoy in the company of a Met legend? This could be the one.