On Monday evening April 11th, the New York Mets Major League Baseball team presented their Ya Gotta Believe Award to Gerard M. Kelly, executive director of United Spinal Association, at the team’s annual Welcome Home Dinner to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event was held in the Grand Ballroom of the New York Hilton Hotel.
The Ya Gotta Believe Award is presented to an individual within or associated with the Mets family who has shown an exceptional commitment to the community, fortitude in overcoming adversity, or the spirit to believe that anything is possible. In honoring Kelly, the Mets organization stated that “he fills all three criteria and lives the core beliefs of the United Spinal Association every day—that despite spinal cord impairment, a full, proactive, and rewarding life is not only possible, but within the reach of anyone with the courage to believe it and make it happen.”
In accepting the award, Kelly thanked the Mets for their generous support since 1999 of the United Spinal Association Mets wheelchair softball team, an affiliation that has worked wonders to promote the proven benefits of athletic competition for persons with disabilities, including youngsters. Kelly also fondly remembered the originator of the phrase “Ya gotta believe,” the late Tug McGraw, former Mets standout relief pitcher. Those three words became the mantra of Mets fans during the team’s miraculous 1969 World Series Championship season.
Kelly is the second recipient of the Ya Gotta Believe Award. The inaugural honoree at the 2004 Welcome Home Dinner was former Mets relief pitcher John Franco.
The evening’s festivities were made all the more jubilant by the Mets thrilling comefrom-behind Opening Day conquest of the Houston Astros. This victory was alluded to by a number of speakers, who included Mets and Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, Sports Illustrated’s Frank Deford, Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, and Mets Manager Willie Randolph. All of the Mets 2005 players were in attendance, and they graciously signed autographs for guests at dinner’s end.
It was a great night for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, too; through this dinner and its accompanying Silent Auction, the Mets organization has raised more than $5 million for the Foundation’s work over the years. It was plainly obvious to all in attendance that Jerry Kelly was very honored to receive this award. Probably the only event that could top it is a 2005 Mets World Series Championship!
Terry Moakley is associate executive director of Communications and Public Affairs at United Spinal.
