Special thanks to the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York City for hosting an Italian American Baseball Foundation panel discussion to celebrate Italian American Heritage Month.

The panel included former big leaguers John Franco, Frank Catalanotto and Mike Pagliarulo, as well as Mets broadcaster Wayne Randazzo. It was moderated by IABF board director Chris Vaccaro.

They discussion touched on topics of Italian pride and heritage, the growth of the game in America and Italy and an assessment of the modern professional game today with recollections and experiential anecdotes from the panel.