Ray's remarkable odyssey commenced decades ago, at the tender age of sixteen, when he was apprehended for spraying graffiti on a wall at Yankee Stadium by none other than the illustrious George Steinbrenner, the esteemed owner of the New York Yankees. In a twist of fate, Steinbrenner opted against incarcerating Ray and instead, extended a second chance, offering him a position as the batboy for the most iconic franchise in sports history. This extraordinary opportunity catapulted Ray into a dream job, where he shared the dugout with the legendary "Bronx Zoo" team of the 1970s. As a positive influence in the fiery clubhouse, Ray rubbed shoulders with Manager Billy Martin, superstar Reggie Jackson, and the legendary Thurman Munson. Over the next thirty-five years, Steinbrenner and Ray cultivated a profound bond, which endured until Steinbrenner's passing in 2010.
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Ray, the Community Affairs Advisor for the New York Yankees, continues to embody the legacy of the esteemed Steinbrenner, as he dedicates himself to upholding the esteemed traditions of the club. With unwavering passion, Ray strives to instill a sense of pride and inspiration in both veteran players and rookie Yankees alike, as they visit terminally ill children in hospitals and extend their support to inner-city youth throughout the city of New York.
In his capacity as the driving force behind "Hank's Yanks", a non-profit, competitive youth travel baseball team, Ray works tirelessly to provide underprivileged youngsters, aged 10 to 18, with a platform to develop their skills and reach their full potential. This remarkable initiative, sponsored by none other than New York Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner, serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Steinbrenner's vision and legacy, as it continues to inspire and uplift the lives of countless young people across the city.
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Ray is a prolific writer, having authored a total of four children's books that have garnered widespread acclaim and commercial success. His debut book, "The Boy of Steel", achieved an impressive #2 ranking on the New York Times Bestseller List, and as a testament to its enduring popularity, it is currently on display at the prestigious National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Ray's third book, "One Last Time: Goodbye to Yankee Stadium", reached the pinnacle of success, topping Amazon's Bestseller List. His memoirs, "Yankee Miracles: Life with the Boss", published in 2012, offer a fascinating glimpse into his personal life and experiences.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Ray has also ventured into the world of children's holiday books, co-authoring a title with renowned Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia. His work as a film producer has yielded a full-length animated feature film, "Henry and Me", which tells the poignant story of a young boy's magical journey as he battles cancer. The film's voice cast boasts an impressive lineup of talents, including Richard Gere, Cyndi Lauper, Chazz Palminteri, Danny Aiello, Luis Guzman, and Paul Simon.
Ray's film production credits also include serving as the Associate Producer on the feature film "Stano", which stars the talented Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello. Throughout his career, Ray has demonstrated his versatility and dedication to storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on the worlds of literature and film.
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Ray, a distinguished individual, holds esteemed membership in the International Latino Hall of Fame, a prestigious organization recognizing outstanding contributions to the Latino community, as well as the Ted Williams Hall of Fame, an institution acknowledging exceptional humanitarian endeavors.
Ray's selfless efforts to better the lives of children across the United States have garnered widespread recognition, and in 2007, he received a distinguished honor from the Department of Homeland Security, a testament to his visionary leadership within the Hispanic community and the profound, lasting impact he has had on American society.
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Ray can be heard delivering engaging discussions about baseball and entertainment on weekends, broadcasting on ESPN Radio 1050am. His byline frequently appears in NY Sports Day and Newsmax, as he pens a weekly column that showcases his expertise. As a compelling and motivational speaker, Ray shares his remarkable life story with passion and enthusiasm, regaling audiences with tales of his time with the storied Bronx Bombers. He also recounts his unique bond with the legendary Steinbrenner, as well as the experiences he had rubbing shoulders with some of the all-time greats of the iconic Yankee franchise.
