Every Boy’s Dream
Every Boy’s Dream
In 1989 Dan helped lead Fort Hamilton High School to their first City Championship which was played at Yankee Stadium. In addition to being captain he was also named to the NY Daily News All-City team. Later that summer, his club team of the Youth Service League made it to the Connie Mack World Series where he played along side teammate Manny Ramirez. He received a scholarship to Concordia College, Bronxville, New York. In 1992 he led the nation in stolen bases (NCAA Division II) when he stole 30 in 31 games. He graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and received the “Mickey Byrne Scholar Athlete Award”, the schools highest honor.
Dan was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1993 by Herb Stein, the same scout who signed Hall of Famer Rod Carew. He led the Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League his rookie year with a .310 batting avg., 80 hits and 21 stolen bases. He was a member of the Minnesota Twins “Men of Steal” which is reserved for players who swiped 20 bags or more. Only five players received that honor in 1993. Dan was the only one who achieved that goal in a shortened rookie season playing in just 60 games.
He also attended the Fall Instructional League reserved for the Organizations Top Prospects. According to Baseball America, he was voted the fastest runner in the Twins draft report card with a 3.9 running time from home to first from the right side. In 1994 Dan played for the Ft. Wayne Wizards of the Class A Midwest League. The big league Twins played the Wizards that season in a charity exhibition game. Dan doubled and scored to lead off the game against big league pitcher Carlos Pulido. In 1995 Dan finished his playing career with the Ft. Myers Miracle of the Florida State League.
Signing day with legendary scout Herb Stein– And hanging with Jim Lemon,”Big Lem” my Rookie Hitting Coach after an early round of B.P.
Soon to be Hall of Famer Inductee Tony Oliva, one of the games best natural hitters with me at spring training in Ft. Myers.
My roomate, fellow paesan and life long friend, Rob DeBrino. a.k.a “NJ Heat”
You learn quickly how to get out of the way of a sliding baserunner. If you don’t, it hurts.
Signing autographs with teammate and my fellow brother in Christ, Torii Hunter. Hands down the best defensive Center fielder in the history of the game.
My rookie double play partner Enrique Wilson.