NEW YORK – Amidst the cheers and the heroic footsteps on Yankee Stadium, there were some tears of emotion that no one saw. That was the moment when Carmine (16) and Vincent Gagliano (12) – two brothers living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) – stepped up to the podium at Yankee Stadium during HOPE Week 2025.
“The Most Precious Day of Their Lives”
Through a connection from MLB, the Yankees’ HOPE Week program invited the two boys to the stadium, where they were taken behind the scenes, met MaxFried and GerritCole, and most importantly – read the starting lineup over the PA system before the game, as well as broadcast live via YES Network and WFAN.
The boys’ parents, Jay and Cara Gagliano, shared with emotion:
“Today… is the biggest source of hope we’ve ever seen.”
HOPE Week – Actions that touch the heart
The five-day program focuses on honoring individuals or organizations with a resilient spirit, especially:
Previously, the Yankees also donated $10,000 to the organization “Strength of Brothers” – accompanying Carmine & Vincent to be on the radio.
Participating in activities such as preparing clothes, packing necessities, organizing community events – all players, coaches and leaders participated.
Not only a victory on the field, HOPE Week 2025 once again affirmed the Yankees’ tradition of “baseball for people”. The field was silent for the moment the two boys read their names. And the whole team, the whole audience… were silent with every word they said.
With just one day of HOPE Week, Apple – Yankees planted great hope in the hearts of brave children.
Carmine and Vincent Gagliano couldn’t run on the field, but that day – through the reading of their names – they ran straight into people’s hearts. The Yankees showed them that baseball is more than just winning, it’s about #BeTheHope, about writing stories that are more beautiful than winning.