The Miami Laker, June 21, 2019

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The original community newspaper for the Town of Miami Lakes & surrounding areas

Jack McCall’s baseball legacy continues to live on Vol. 45, No. 12

305-817-4078

MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA

JUNE 21, 2019

See Miami Lakes event details on Page 7.

The spirt of Miami Lakes Optimist Club longtime coach and member Jack McCall lives on. His 10U Athletics team, also known as the Green Machine, won the championship under McCall’s son, Chris, who coached his father’s team before his death with Jack McCall by his side. And like a Hollywood movie’s perfect ending, McCall’s grandson, Chris McCall Jr., struck out the final Angels’ batter to seal the championship for his team. Jack McCall adopted the moniker The Green Machine years ago as the Little League version of the 1970s Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine, and because of his Irish heritage. “This was like a Hollywood movie, it was meant to be,” said

Alex Castroman, a longtime club member and close friend to the McCall family. The A’s and Angels met in a single championship game which saw many lead changes. With two outs in the bottom of the 7th inning and runners on base, the Angels were seeking to make a move. But Chris McCall Jr., was called on to keep his team on top and delivered a strike out to end the game and claim the championship. “We all know Jack McCall was on that field tonight,” Castroman said. “We can all here him with his famous chant, ‘Here comes the Green, Hey.’” McCall passed away in March at the age of 83. He was a member of the Optimist Club for more than 42 THE GREEN MACHINE, Optimist Club’s 10U baseball team celebrates winning division championship under Jack McCall’s son Chris, now the coach. years.

Former North Carolina State and Hialeah Miami Lakes basketball star Chris Corchiani, community activist David Oliver, community pioneer George Deming, and community activist Javier Zapata were enshrined into the Miami Lakes Sports Hall of Fame for the Class of 2019. They were inducted to the town’s highest honor for sports and community activism during a recent ceremony at the Miami Lakes Optimist Club club house. The committee believed that each of these four individuals epitomizes the basic criteria for selection, that they have made significant contribution to their sports and that they have substantial connections to the Town of Miami Lakes. The committee included chair Roman Garcia, vice chair Helen Roldan, secretary Marcos Gutierrez and committee members Jim Hamilton and Karyna Cid. The Miami Lakes Sports Hall of Fame Inductees include:

• Chris Corchiani was a star basketball player at Hialeah Miami Lakes High School earning the title Florida “Mr. Basketball”, an award given to the best basketball player in the state in 1986 and 1987 which included a State Championship. From there he received a scholarship to North Carolina State University where he was a four-year starter and he became the first player in NCAA history to record 1,000 career assists. He led the Wolfpack to the NCAA tournament in three of his four years at the school and was the first college player to record 20 assists in a game. He would have a successful professional career of 14 years including three stops in the NBA – Orlando, Boston and Washington – followed by stops internationally playing for teams in Italy, Turkey, Spain and Germany. • David Oliver has been a community activist in Miami Lakes for over 20 years. Prior to PICTURED at Hall of Fame induction ceremony are (from left) Councilmember Josh Dieguez, his time here, he was a four-year Mayor Manny Cid, inductees Chris Corchiani, George Deming, David Oliver and Javier Zapata and Councilmember Luis Collazo. (Please see Page 2)

Miami Lakes Sports Hall of Fame inducts four

A Look Inside:

I BLAAC Boutique celebrates I News and Notes of interest I Graham charity golf tourna- I BGEC closes year with fifth year anniverary at its Main from the Town of Miami Lakes. ment benefits Habitat for Hu- goodbyes to two veteran Street location....................2 See pages.........................6 & 7 manity of Greater Miami........14 long-term teachers..............16

I Tommy “T” Peña Founda- I Dr. Michael White opens I Three FIU baseball stars I Community Calendar, 11, tion launched to help mentor new chiropractic practice in honored by selection to all School, sports and church news, youth in sports.....................3 Miami Lakes............................9 Conference USA teams........15 14-20, Classified ads...21-23


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