Joe Torre As manager of the New York Yankees, Joe Torre has led the team to two World Series Championships since he joined them in November of 1995. The 1996 win was the Yankees first World Championship since 1978. At that time, he was named "Man of the Year" by The Sporting News and "Co-Manager of the Year" by the Baseball Writers Association of America. And again under his management, Joe led the New York Yankees to their second World Championship in 1998 where they swept the series in 4 straight games. Before making the switch in becoming manager, Torre played ball for seventeen years. In his seventeen years playing, he compiled a career of .297 batting average, 2,342 hits, 252 homeruns and 1,185 RBIs. Torre hit over .300 five times in his career, and was a nine-time All-Star. He played for Milwaukee, Atlanta, St. Louis and the Mets. In 1971, he was the National League as an MVP (Most Valuable Player) as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. In leading the league with a .363 batting average, 230 hits, 137 RBI's and 352 total bases, Torre became the first player to lead the National League in fou r offensive categories since Stan Musical captured eight categories in 1948. Torre made his managerial debut on May 31, 1977, when he became the first player-manager in the Major Leagues since 1959. He became the Mets full-time skipper eighteen days later. In 1982, Torre was named AP Manager of the Year in leading the Atlanta Braves to the division title. He is the only person ever to be named both the MVP and Manager of the Year. Before returning to manage the St. Louis Cardinals from 1990-1995, Torre spent most of six seasons as a television broadcaster for the California Angels. The Starlight Children's Foundation is an international organization dedicated to brightening the lives of critically, chronically, and terminally ill children. Founded in 1983 by actress Emma Samms and film producer Peter Samuelson, the dreams Starlight helps to make come true are ones you thought only happened in storybooks. The NY" NJ*CT* Chapter of Starlight is able to brighten the lives of nearly 200,000 seriously ill children in the tri-state area through various programs, which includes Wish Granting. When children become sick, it is very easy for them to forget what it is like to be a kid and to stop dreaming. When a child has a wish granted, it offers the family an opportunity to feel "normal" and escape the often scary and depressing hospital atmosphere. Whether it is a trip to Disney World, or the excitement of a shopping spree, each experience allows them to start dreaming again, and most of all, to have a little hope. In addition to wish granting, Starlight has developed I lospital Parties, Outpatient Activities, Fun Centers, a Starlight Room, and a hospital grant program. Time is of the essence for most of the children that Starlight helps. Thanks to the support of individuals like Joe Torre these children are able to experience the normal childhood activities that an illness often robs them of, like attending a ballgame or meeting their hero. For further information about Starlight Children's Foundation contact: 1560 Broadway, Suite 600 New York, NY 10036 Tel. (212) 354-2878.