A Mets legend and Bensonhurst resident showed the next generation the ropes on June 23.
All-star relief pitcher John Franco ran drills with kids at a free baseball clinic at MCU Park in Coney Island on June 23. Franco worked the clinic to help give back to a borough that birthed his love for ball, he said.
“My lifelong dream of playing professional baseball began in Brooklyn, and the instruction and encouragement I received from coaches throughout my career allowed me to live that dream,” he said in a statement.
Under the tutelage of Franco, Cyclones players, and a bevy of area coaches, young players learned basics like fielding, running, throwing, and injury prevention.
An 11-year-old catcher who traveled all the way from Queens to attend the clinic said he learned a bit about throwing and fielding, but he was really excited about meeting the hall-of-fame pitcher.
“It was nice — I never met him before, but I heard about him from the league and my dad,” said Denali Rivera.
The clinic is part of a summer series that teaches baseball fundamentals before Cyclones games. The 100 participants get a free ticket to the games, according to a spokeswoman for MCU park.
The two remaining clinics are set for 5:30 pm on July 17 and Aug. 4.
