Our special guest today is Ralph Branca, who grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, graduated from AB Davis HS, and New York University. He is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1944 through 1956, Branca played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1944-53, 1956), Detroit Tigers (1953-54), and New York Yankees (1954). He batted and threw right-handed. Branca was known as a very good starter during his years in Brooklyn. Branca debuted on June 12, 1944 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and put up a 3.04 ERA in 109.2 innings pitched in 1945, his rookie year. A three-time All-Star, he won 80 games for the Dodgers with a career-high 21 wins in 1947. Mr. Branca who has spent over 50 years in the insurance industry, is affiliated with Strategies For Wealth in Rye Brook, NY. Also today is Alan D. Rosenberg, who will serve as our guest panalist. Alan, who is another native Mount Vernonite, also graduated from AB Davis and New York University. He is a long-time CPA, who has offices in both New York City and Scarsdale and is an avid sports fan and memorabilia collector. 

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Today’s program will focus on the “Golden Age” of New York baseball 1947-57, during which Ralph Branca played a pivotal role. We also discuss how the sport has changed over the past 60 years and how it grew into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Ralph will also tell us in his words what “the shot heard round the world” was really about!