This Week in Clarkstown

By Matt Veronesi

I am extremely happy to see Don Mattingly doing so well since taking over as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. When he assumed the role, the Phillies were a dismal 9-19. Since then, the team has gone 34-17, good for a .667 winning percentage under Mattingly. It’s been an incredible turnaround and well deserved.

Growing up as a die-hard Yankees fan, Don Mattingly was my favorite player of all time. He wasn’t just my idol because of the incredible player he was, but because of the kind of person he seemed to be. Throughout his playing career with the Yankees and later as a manager and coach, Mattingly earned a reputation as one of baseball’s most respected figures. He has always been known as a tremendous mentor, a tireless worker, a players’ coach, and, above all, a genuinely good person.

When my wife Jenn and I were expecting our first child, a son, we started tossing around baby names. I jokingly suggested the name Mattingly, fully expecting Jenn to reject it immediately. To my surprise, she actually loved it. She thought it was unique, and she liked that we could always shorten it to “Matt,” just like me. And that’s how our son Mattingly got his name.

When Mattingly was about five years old, my cousin Chris and I traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings. The Winter Meetings are the annual four-day gathering where all 30 Major League Baseball teams, front-office executives, managers, agents, and members of the media come together to conduct league business. It is widely considered the busiest week of the baseball offseason.

Chris had always wanted to attend the meetings, and having previously worked in professional baseball, I was familiar with how everything operated. That experience gave us a bit of an advantage as visitors. We spent several days meeting players, coaches, executives, and media personalities, and it was an incredible experience.

On the final day, we planned to leave early and spend the afternoon at Disney World. Then we learned that Don Mattingly, who was managing the Miami Marlins at the time, was scheduled to arrive later that day. There was no debate—we skipped Disney for the chance to meet the player we had idolized as kids.

Sometimes meeting your childhood hero can be disappointing. They don’t always live up to the image you’ve built in your mind.

That was certainly not the case with Don Mattingly.

When we finally met him, he couldn’t have been nicer. He was genuinely excited to hear that I had named my son Mattingly after him. He even took the time to record a personalized video message for my son. We exchanged contact information and stayed in touch.

A few months later, when the Marlins were playing the Mets at Citi Field, I brought my son to meet Don before the game. He spent a great deal of time talking with Mattingly, posed for pictures, signed a baseball for him, and made him feel incredibly special. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget as a father.

Over the years, we’ve continued to stay in touch. Whenever Don is coaching in New York and our schedules allow, we make every effort to go see him. It’s amazing how someone you admire from afar can end up becoming someone you genuinely know. Don Mattingly has always treated my family with kindness and class, and he has proven to be exactly the kind of person I always hoped he was.

Speaking of making great memories, I hope you’ll join the Town of Clarkstown for two exciting America 250 celebrations over the next couple of weeks at Felix Festa Middle School.

Our Fireworks Extravaganza will be held on Wednesday, July 1, followed by our Patriotic Concert & Drone Show on Thursday, July 9. Gates for both events open at 6:30 p.m., with food vendors, family activities, and live entertainment beginning at 8:00 p.m.

On July 1, the Ladies of the ‘80s will perform before our annual fireworks spectacular. Then on July 9, the world-renowned West Point Band will take the stage before an unforgettable patriotic drone show featuring 400 drones. These are two incredible family events that you won’t want to miss.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for all of our Clarkstown America 250 Summer Events, including the July 1 Fireworks Extravaganza, the July 9 Patriotic Concert & Drone Show, and our Summer Concert Series. Businesses interested in becoming sponsors can email me at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov for more information.

For information on any Town of Clarkstown Parks & Recreation programs or events, please contact our office at 845-639-6200.

Have an idea for a future column or a Clarkstown event you’d like highlighted? Feel free to reach out to me at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov.

Have a great week!