New York Yankees Take P/NW BOCES Student Out to the Ballgame

For Chris Taveras, a student at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES’ Pines Bridge School, and a huge New York Yankees fan, attending one of his beloved Bronx Bombers’ games would qualify as a perfect day all by itself.  Through the efforts of a social worker at his school, he recently got to do just that – and a whole lot more.

At Pines Bridge, a school for multiply disabled and medically fragile children, Chris spends much of the day engaged in occupational, physical and speech therapy. He works extremely hard every day, according to his teacher, Judy Gillet, who calls Chris’s charismatic personality his greatest strength. After school, he spends most of his time in the second story walkup he shares with his family. Getting around in his wheelchair is difficult, and sometimes the challenges get the best of the normally upbeat teen.

“Sometimes Chris comes into my office and talks about feeling sad because he can’t walk,” said Ruby Whitman, a school social worker at Pines Bridge. “The last time this happened, I said, ‘Let’s see if we can turn your sadness around and try to pull something good out of it.” 

Whitman decided to contact the Yankees, not knowing if anything would come of it, yet figuring she had nothing to lose. She told them a little bit about Chris and his physical challenges, as well as his love for the team. Within two days, she got a response.  Not only would Chris be given tickets to an upcoming game against the Minnesota Twins, he was going to receive the royal treatment. “The email I received said that the Yankees organization planned to make the day very special for Chris.”

Arriving early at the stadium the day of the game, Chris was first greeted by Ron Blomberg, a former Yankee from the 1960s and 1970s, who is credited with being the first designated hitter in major league history. He showed Chris his World Series ring and led Chris and his family into the stadium.

Chris and his mother were given special permission to go right onto the field and watch batting practice. The young fan was awestruck as Derek Jeter strolled over, signed a ball and then handed over the bat he’d been using during practice. “He asked me if I was a big fan and I said ‘Yes!’” said Chris.

The rest of the afternoon was the stuff of dreams. Chris, his mother, two cousins and Whitman were given a private tour of Monument Park and the Yankee museum. Chris met many of his idols (in addition to Jeter), including Brett Gardner, Brian McCann and team manager Joe Girardi.

When it was time for the game to begin, the group was escorted to prime seats behind home plate, handed menus and told to order anything they wanted.  A giant photo of Chris appeared on the giant screen.

On top of all that, the Yankees beat the Twins. “It was a really good game,” said Chris.  When the game was over and the strains of “New York, New York” had faded, a van arrived to bring Chris and his mother home. “The Yankees organization was amazing,” said Whitman. “They thought of everything, and the day was more fabulous than any of us expected.”

Chris said he’d been to one Yankee game before, but it certainly wasn’t like this. “It was so cool to meet the players,” he said. “It was such a great experience.”

When asked if he had come back down to earth yet, Chris answered, emphatically, “Not yet!” Then, with a big grin, he added, “I can’t stop smiling.”