The New York Yankees are proud to announce the return of HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) in 2021 after a one-year pause in 2020 due to COVID-19 considerations. This year will mark the 12th edition of the event.
The award-winning initiative is a unique week-long community program that brings to light remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities. HOPE Week 2021 will take place from Monday, June 28 through Friday, July 2.
Over each of the five days of HOPE Week, the Yankees will reach out to an individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support, providing honorees with a day celebrating their accomplishments. This year’s outreach will take place in the community, at Yankee Stadium, and online with those not based in the New York area. HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture. Fans can learn more about the initiative by visiting the official website at hopeweek.com.
ABOUT EVENTS ON MONDAY, JUNE 28, AND HONOREE – GWEN GOLDMAN
***On HOPE Week Monday, June 28, the Yankees will make 70-year-old Gwen Goldman’s dream come true by having her join the team as an honorary bat girl for the day in full uniform with pregame & in-game responsibilities on the field and in the dugout. ***
In 1961, 10-year-old Gwen Goldman penned a letter to the New York Yankees expressing her dream of being a bat girl and pleading her case for the job. The response from then-Yankees General Manager Roy Hamey still hangs on her living room wall. Earlier this year, Gwen’s daughter, Abby McLoughlin, reached out to share its contents with the team.
Dear Gwen,
Many thanks for your nice letter which was received in this morning’s mail.
While we agree with you that girls are certainly as capable as boys, and no doubt would be an attractive addition on the playing field, I am sure you can understand that in a game dominated by men a young lady such as yourself would feel out of place in a dugout.
Again, many thanks for writing and your interest in the Yankees.
Sincerely,
Roy Hamey / General Manager
On Wednesday, June 23, 60 years to the day Hamey wrote his letter, Gwen received a new letter from current Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, who read it to her on a Zoom call with Assistant General Manager Jean Afterman, Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole and Yankees General Partner / Vice Chairperson Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal.
Cashman’s letter reads:
Dear Gwen,
Several weeks ago, I was forwarded an email that originated from your daughter, Abby, that grabbed my attention. Attached to her current-day correspondence was a photo of a letter addressed to you with the date marked June 23, 1961. It was typed on New York Yankees letterhead and written by the General Manager who once sat in the chair I now occupy. Although your long-ago correspondence took place 60 years ago (six years before I was born), I feel compelled to resurrect your original request and do what I can to bring your childhood dream to life.
Here at the Yankees, we have championed to break down gender barriers in our industry. It is an ongoing commitment rooted in the belief that a woman belongs everywhere a man does, including the dugout. And despite the fact that six decades have passed since you first aspired to hold down the position as a New York Yankees Bat Girl, it is not too late to reward and recognize the ambition you showed in writing that letter to us as a 10-year-old girl.
Some dreams take longer than they should to be realized, but a goal attained should not dim with the passage of time. On behalf of our entire organization, it would be my great honor for you to join us for our game on Monday, June 28 vs. the Los Angeles Angels to serve as our honorary bat girl for the day.
I have a daughter myself, and it is my sincere hope that every little girl be given the opportunity to follow her aspirations into the future.
Thank you for being such a devoted and lifelong fan of our organization, and I look forward to seeing you out on the field at Yankee Stadium next week.
Warm regards,
Brian Cashman
Senior Vice President & General Manager
At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has — no matter their background or financial situation — is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, Manager Aaron Boone, General Manager Brian Cashman and front office staff during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Yankees send the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place.
Equally significant during HOPE Week is garnering publicity for the highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.
At the conclusion of the last 10 HOPE Weeks, the Yankees organization has been honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, given “in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.” The awards were bestowed by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service.
MORE ABOUT HOPE WEEK
(Please also visit hopeweek.com)
Per Release
Image: Brian Cashman – Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
