The Catholic Youth Organization crowned its diocesan champions in girls’ swimming on April 2 at the Eisenhower Park Aquatic Center in East Meadow, L.I. Congratulations to ‘A’ Division champs St. Sebastian, Woodside, and ‘B’ Division champs St. Camillus-St. Virgilius, Rockaway Park.
Brothers Josh and Richie Palacios of St. Thomas Aquinas, Flatlands, will begin the 2022 MLB season in Triple-A. Josh is an outfielder in the Toronto Blue Jays organization who made his professional debut last season. He’ll start the year with the Buffalo Bisons. Meanwhile, younger brother Richie, an infielder, will begin the season with the Columbus Clippers in the Cleveland Guardians organization as he attempts to reach the majors for the first time.
‘Baseball Bash’ Returns
After missing two years, the annual Good Shepherd, Marine Park, “Baseball Bash” returned April 2 with lots of excitement in anticipation of another baseball season. Pastor Emeritus Father Jim Devlin hosted a spirited two-hour discussion among 18 baseball lifers. The event has been held for upwards of 25 years.
Some of the main topics discussed during a packed agenda included:
+ Does David Ortiz’s election to the Baseball Hall of Fame open it up for the likes of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire?
+ Are the New York Yankees and New York Mets favorites in their divisions? (The consensus for both was no.)
+ How will the injury to Mets ace Jacob deGrom affect the team’s chances?
+ Given the upcoming induction of Gil Hodges, how do longtime New York first baseman Keith Hernandez and Don Mattingly stack up for a potential Hall of Fame vote?
