New York Baseball Legend Marches in Support of Irish Youth Baseball program
NEW YORK, New York, March 10, 2025 – New York baseball legend Doc Gooden will lead the Irish American Baseball Society in the 2025 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Gooden, who won World Series Championships with the Mets and the Yankees, will be marching to support youth baseball programs in Ireland.
“I’m not Irish, but I believe in the power of youth baseball as a positive force in the lives of children,” said Gooden. “I’m marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to raise awareness that kids are playing baseball in Ireland and to encourage baseball fans to support youth baseball in Ireland and all places where kids could use our help.”
Gooden is one of the most successful pitchers in New York baseball history, having won the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year Award and the 1985 Cy Young Award. During his 16-year career, he was a four-time All-Star and he retired with 2,200 strikeouts and 194 wins.
Gooden, who has previously made appearances to benefit youth baseball programs in Ireland, will be joined by members of The Irish American Baseball Society and The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), and players on the Irish Wolfhounds Baseball Club.
“The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is pleased to welcome Doc Gooden to march in this year’s parade with the Irish American Baseball Society,” said Hilary Beirne, Chairman of the St. Patrick’s Day Foundation. “We are very thankful for all the work he has done on behalf of youth baseball in Ireland. The saying is quite true: everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, especially Doc.”
The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. Eastern on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.
This will be the third year that the Irish American Baseball Society has marched in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, having been led previously by Irish American Baseball Hall of Famers Steve Garvey (2023) and Joe McEwing (2024).
“We’re honored to march alongside Doc,” said Patrick Smith, VP of Cultural Outreach for the Irish American Baseball Society. “Both Mets and Yankees fans have supported him through the years and now he’s once again showing his support for our Irish Youth Baseball program.”
Fans can support the Irish Youth Baseball program by visiting IrishBaseball.org and clicking the “Donate” link.
About the Irish American Baseball Society
The Irish American Baseball Society researches and celebrates the Irish impact on the game of baseball, from the earliest days of the game to the present. The IABS also supports youth baseball programs in Ireland and America. For more information, visit IrishBaseball.org.
About the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The 264th New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday, March 17, 2025. The parade will start at 11 AM at 44th Street on Fifth Avenue and end at 79th Street. The parade can be watched on WNBC in New York, on NBCNewYork.com, the NBC 4 App and the NBC 4 New York streaming channel. For more information, visit NYCStPatricksParade.org.
