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By JERRY KELLAR jkellar@leader.net
Monday, February 07, 2000 Page: 1B
Laura Esrov was faced with a dilemma. The proud owner of a mountain of
baseball memorabilia accumulated from a lifetime of fanatical devotion to the
New York Yankees, Esrov realized she had no place to display the stuff when
she and husband David moved from their Kingston home into a Manhattan, N.Y.,
condo a short time ago.
Then, while laying in bed one morning, the solution hit her like a Mariano
Rivera fastball to the noggin.
Give it away. All of it.
Oh, there’s a hitch.
If you’re interested in owning any of Esrov’s Bronx Bombers’ stash, it’s
going to cost you. That’s because she donated everything to the annual
Sports/Celebrity Auction, which will be held Feb. 16 at the Independent Fire
Hall in Kingston.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association,
a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic programs and services to
local children with developmental disabilities.
Esrov, whose husband has been involved with “Children’s” for the past 22
years, figured it was a natural.
“They’re wonderful people,” said the Bronx-born Esrov, who’s spent a good
portion of her 61 years at Yankee Stadium. She moved to Kingston after
marrying David in 1992.
“I said to (David), you know what I want to do?” she recalled. “It was
emotional. There’s over 50 years of collecting here. But we have so much to be
thankful for.”
The folks on the receiving end felt the same way when they saw the dozens
of large containers jammed with “pinstriped” memorabilia.
“Oh, my gosh, unbelievable,” said Kim Rollman, public relations director
for WVCA.
Former Kingston Mayor Frank “Bunky” Sorochak, the auction organizer, was
overwhelmed when the merchandise arrived at his home via a small pickup.
“Laura was only going to give me a couple items,” he said. “Then she
calls me and says, `You know what, you can have it all.’ ”
Among the Yankee stuff up for bid:
Autographed items, including baseballs/bats signed by Derek Jeter, Yogi
Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Whitey Ford and Hank Bauer. A painting of Thurman Munson,
pictures, dolls, old baseball cards, mugs, stuffed animals, lamps, season
ticket stubs, yearbooks, programs, jewelry. … If it has anything to do with
the Yankees, chances are Laura had it.
Now, you’ve got your chance.
Sorochak, who is in his fourth year with the auction, also obtained plenty
of non-Yankee items for the big night. He has autographed baseball and
football cards and balls, as well as signed memorabilia from sports, political
and entertainment celebrities
“There’s something for everybody,” said Sorochak, who paid tribute to his
brother Bob, and friends Bobby Lenkowski, Chuck Wilson and Dave Usavage for
doing more than their share in helping out.
Then, of course, there’s Laura.
“She’s something else,” Sorochak said.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Bidding begins at 7. Admission is $3.
Just remember to bring plenty of cash, Yankee fans. It’s all for a great
cause.
“Isn’t it better,” Laura Esrov said, “than that stuff just sitting
around in a storage room somewhere?”
Call Kellar at 829-7243.