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Last Sunday Yankees community advisor Ray Negron and scout Cesar Presbott paid a spiritual tribute to Herman Hernandez, the late Hank’s Yanks mentor who passed away in January, at Heritage Park. Bill O’Connell has the story:

Heritage Park, Bronx, NY -- On a day where tears were hard to hold back, New York Yankees scout Cesar Presbott and Hanks Yanks manager Ray Negron (also a long time special advisor to late owner George M. Steinbrenner III) put January’s death of Hank’s Yanks founding father Herman Hernandez into the forefront of a most memorable game which ignited the spirit of young men competing in Heritage Park’s inaugural baseball opener. It was an unforgettable tribute to Hernandez and the Yankee souls whose energy are embedded in the foothold of the

Some reaction to the passing of Herman Hernandez, the co-founder and general manager of Hank’s Yanks, Hank Steinbrenner’s under-18 youth baseball team. Hernandez, who died Thursday at the age of 52, met these celebrities at Hank’s Yanks games devoted to causes including breast cancer, pediatric cancer, and Juvenile diabetes, in addition to the many toy drives during the holidays.

“Herman was truly a Puerto Rican Santa Clause. His laughter reminded me of jolly ‘ol St Nick but his heart sealed the deal.” - Actor Luis Guzman

“Herman showed these kids the true value of loving thy neighbor.  I wish I would have known him longer.” - Actor Richard Gere

“Herman was great fun to be around.  When I went to mentor the kids he would

The Yankees family suffered a sudden and devastating loss on Thursday when Herman Hernandez, the co-founder and general manager of Hank Steinbrenner’s Hank’s Yanks under-18 baseball team, died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 52.

Hernandez and Yankees senior adviser and consultant to the Steinbrenner family, Ray Negron, started Hank’s Yanks in 2010. Four of their players were signed by professional baseball organizations. Two, pitcher Leonel Vinas and third baseman Matt Durant, are working out at the team’s Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla. Another, Tony Nunez, is preparing for his first season at Hillsborough Community College.

Nunez was in class when he received a message of Hernandez's passing.

"Herman made an immediate impression on me," Nunez said

Last week I put Hank’s Yanks alum Tony Nunez in the spotlight with his acceptance to Hillsborough Community College. Infielder Matt Duran, the Yankees’ fourth-round pick (149^th overall) in the 2011 MLB draft, has been working out at Matt Guiliano’s Play Like a Pro indoor training facility in Hauppauge, N.Y. Those watching Duran have said that the sounds of “POW-POW-POW” coming off his bat remind them of what they once heard from Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle.

Duran was one of three signees for the Fordham Rams in November 2010. The native of New Rochelle, N.Y., was a three-time All-League selection and named to the All-Section team as a junior, when he also garnered team MVP honors. He was rated by Perfect Game USA as a top national prospect, and was selected

The Yankees’ 2011 season may be over but Hank’s Yanks is enjoying playing October baseball, which means the good-will generated by the organization remains in full swing.

The group of amateur players, sponsored by Yankees co/chairperson Hank Steinbrenner, and compiled by Yankees community advisor Ray Negron, has multiplied. There are now four teams with groups between 10-18 years of age. The teams have held charity games for the battles against drug and alcohol dependence, breast cancer and pediatric cancer.  

Funds were raised on Friday at the Glen Cove Mansion for All Saints Regional Catholic School, where Hank’s Yanks made an appearance. The following morning they were guests of Adelphi University before playing a charity game for the Boys and Girls Club of Long

During my extended excursion, my friends Ray Negron and Aris Sakellaridis shared information about the latest success of Hank’s Yanks, the under-18 team sponsored by Yankees general partner/ co-chairperson Hank Steinbrenner. The team defeated Cesar Presbott’s All-Stars, 2-1, at Yankee Stadium on August 18 to win the second annual “Boss’ Cup” in honor of the late George Steinbrenner.

Hank’s Yanks left-hander Mason Felt pitched 6 2/3 innings of no-hit ball before a single scored the game’s first run. Once Babylon high school senior Max Watt struck out the only batter he faced, Hank’s Yanks scored two runs in the final inning with Bay Shore high school graduate John Smith scoring the game-winner.

Honorary pitching coach Dwight Gooden was impressed

Two guest posts from my good friend Aris Sakellaridis, who tirelessly assists Yankees senior advisor Ray Negron with the team's community initiatives. The first is on a charity game between Hank's Yanks and the independent Newark Bears. The second is an update on how production of "Henry and Me" is in the stretch run.

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Mike Torrez is their general manager. Tim Raines the field manager. He’s accompanied by Jim Leyritz and Ron Karkovice on his coaching staff.

Led by the trio of former Yankees and a longtime White Sox catcher, the Newark Bears, a team competing in the Canadian American Association (CanAm) of Professional Baseball, hosted Hank’s Yanks, the amateur team sponsored by Hank Steinbrenner made up of youths from different socio-economic backgrounds, Sunday afternoon

Lots going on during this Subway Series weekend, beginning on this day, May 20, when beloved YES colleague and friend Bobby Murcer would have turned 65 years old.

Yesterday I shared information on both the Yankees’ Military Appreciation Ceremony and the second annual Delta Dugout at Madison Square Park. If you’re in the Newark, N.J., area this afternoon, Hank’s Yanks, an under-18 baseball team funded by the Yankees’ co-chairman, is playing the Newark Bears of the Independent League, managed by former Yankee Tim Raines and one many believe belongs in the Hall of Fame (including yours truly).

The teams are playing to help fund pediatric cancer research and Steinbrenner is missing his high school reunion to be in town for the game.

“When it comes to the kids,

Tuesday’s washout in the Bronx forced the Yankees to push their starters back a day and further deal with a sudden injury plague that’s infected their bullpen. A.J. Burnett will take the ball tonight (YES HD, 7 p.m.) against Chris Tillman. These aren’t your Orioles of recent memory and that has to do with the Buck Showalter effect, writes Joe Auriemma.

Phil Hughes also has an extra day to ponder his stunning loss of velocity. He makes his third start Thursday night following bullpen work the past few days with pitching coach Larry Rothschild to get his lower body more involved in his delivery. Hughes has generated just two swings-and-misses out of 137 pitches, none from his four-seam fastball, and he’s taken notice, writes Larry Fleisher.

The Yankees entered the season