St. John's University Athletics
St. Johns Honors Fallen Firefighter Mike Weinberg
5/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
While the ceremony had originally been scheduled to take place on the field at The Ballpark at St. Johns, Saturday mornings heavy rains moved the ceremony indoors, but did not dampen the spirits of the Weinberg family, friends, St. Johns baseball alumni, the current Red Storm team and nearly 75 firemen from throughout the city, many from Weinbergs house in lower Manhattan, who came to pay tribute.
Mike knew that the reservoirs needed water, so I think he called for some rain, Morty Weinberg, his father, said. Id like to thank all of you for coming out and paying tribute to our son. Its been a very difficult time for our family but seeing all of you here shows the love that all of you had, and still have, for Michael.
St. Johns Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer, along with three of his senior captains, Charlie Bilezikjian, Greg Holmes and Jason Kane, presented the Weinberg family with a framed jersey from Mikes playing days at St. Johns.
Weinberg played at St. Johns from 1986-89, helping lead the team to the 1988 BIG EAST Conference Tournament Championship and to the NCAA Tournament. In the 1988 league tournament, he was named the Most Outstanding Player after hitting two home runs, including the game-winner against Villanova in the semifinal game.
Weinberg was a career .256 hitter, with six home runs and 59 RBI in four seasons at St. Johns. Weinberg graduated from St. Johns in 1990 with a bachelor of science in management from the College of Business Administration. Following his graduation, Weinberg was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and played two years in their minor league system.
A native of Maspeth, N.Y., he was a member of the New York Fire Department, stationed at Engine 1, Ladder 24 in lower Manhattan.
I still miss Mike, and always will Jim Hallaby, who worked with Mike at Engine 1 said. As much as he was a great athlete, he was a great person. His presence will always be missed, but tributes like this will keep his spirit alive.
