In a summer with few highlights in the world of sports, two hometown heroes have given Queens sports fans something to cheer about.
Mike Baxter, who grew up in Whitestone in the shadow of Shea Stadium, joins the New York Mets in memorable fashion. Mike played Little League ball in Little Bay Park and went to Archbishop Molloy High School, where he played for coach Jack Curran. He played college ball at Columbia University and Vanderbilt and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2005.
Mike played nine games for the Padres before being placed on waivers. He was then picked up by the Mets and was playing triple A ball in Buffalo when he got the call. Hours after getting his Mets uniform, he was sent to the plate as a pinch hitter in a game against the Padres, the same team that had let him go. He hit a two-run double that sparked the Mets’ comeback victory.
In was a great moment for Mike and at least 50 members of the Baxter family who had come to the stadium that night in the hopes of seeing him play. And it was a great moment for everyone in Whitestone who loves baseball.
A week later, on Aug. 14, Keegan Bradley, a St. John’s University graduate, came from behind to win the prestigious PGA championship.
Wearing the colors of his alma mater, Keegan was five shots back with only three holes to go. He tied the game and forced a three-hole playoff. He became one of only three golfers to win in their first time playing in a major tournament.
It was a great day for Queens and a proud day for his coaches at St. John’s. His coach, Frank Darby, said Keegan’s win shows that the university has one of the elite college golf programs.
“This is one of those moments that really validates what you’re doing as a coaching staff,” Darby said. “This is one thing that proves we’re doing it the right way.”
We congratulate Mike and Keegan for their accomplishments and we wish them continued success. We also salute all of the coaches who touched their lives, whether it was in Little League, high school or college and all of those who work every day to inspire young people to do their best and find their own place on the field of dreams.
