STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The corner of Victory Blvd. and Travis Avenue is getting a well-deserved upgrade on Father’s Day.
And it’s been a long-time coming.
Bill Rogers, the legendary Mid-Island Little League president and fabled coach of the loop’s Little League World Series championship in 1964, will have a street sign with his name added to the aforementioned corner during a ceremony on June 15th.
The gala, which is expected to be attended by many, will begin at 11 a.m.
The street naming ceremony will be a part of Mid-Island’s “Bill Rogers Day” festivities.
Rogers died three years ago this month. He was 86.
Mid-Island Little League manager Bill Rogers, center left, celebrates with his team after they won the 1964 Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.(Advance/SILive.com)
John Pleszewicz, Mid-Island’s long-time president, is thrilled to finally see Rogers get his due.
“I’m happy to see the man get recognized, it’s something that been long overdue,’' said Pleszewicz. ”He was a great mentor to me. He came around and showed me the ropes and that’s something I’ll always appreciate it.’'
Rogers, who eventually became Staten Island’s District Administrator, never hesitated to come back to Mid-Island’s Travis complex and give the loop’s players a pep talk.
“He was a perfectionist and he always wanted the kids to understand that it was an honor to play All Stars for Mid-Island Little League,’' said Pleszewicz. ”He always brought back some of his players from the ‘64 team and they’d wear their World Series jackets to try and get the kids inspired.’'
Following his death three years ago, Dan Yaccarino, a star pitcher on the ‘64 team, might have summed it up best when referring to Bill Rogers.
“Bill was a great man and a great leader,’' said Yaccarino. ”He led a bunch of 12-year-old kids and made us into men in one summer.”