Authorities in the Dominican Republic announced yesterday the arrest of Venezuelan woman MARÍA FERNANDA VILLASMIL, who was long wanted in connection with the shooting that nearly killed Baseball HOFer DAVID ORTIZ in June 2019. Manzanilla was arrested Tuesday in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo but it was not made clear what charges she is facing. She had been sought under “a red notice” since shortly after the shooting on June 9, 2019. In the months after the attack, Ortiz endured multiple surgeries, first in Santo Domingo and later at Massachusetts General Hospital. Ten men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the shooting (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/20).
PR CLEAN UP: Amid controversy, former MLBer CURT SCHILLING has declined the Red Sox's invitation to take part in its celebration of the 2004 championship at the team’s home opener on April 9, a source confirmed Tuesday. A source with knowledge of the situation said that Schilling, who angered the Wakefield family and other former teammates by publicly disclosing the late MLBer's private cancer battle days before his death last September, did not want his appearance at the home opener to “serve as a distraction” (MASSLIVE, 3/20).
Renel Brooks-Moon was the "first African-American woman to serve as a public announcer in MLB, a World Series, and the first woman to PA a championship game in any professional sport ever"Getty Images
HONORING A LEGEND: Former Giants PA RENEL BROOKS-MOON has been dubbed the 2024 Woman of the Year by the California State Assembly yesterday by District Supervisor MATT HANEY. In 2000, Brooks-Moon became the first voice for the Giants’ new stadium at the time, Pacific Bell Park. Throughout her 24 years there, Brooks-Moon was the "first African-American woman to serve as a public announcer in MLB, a World Series, and the first woman to PA a championship game in any professional sport ever." Brooks-Moon announced the end of her time with the Giants on March 18. Despite her discontinuation with the Giants, Brooks-Moon will still serve as a “special advisor” to the team, and the Oracle Park’s PA booth will be named after her to honor her legacy and years of service (KRON4.com, 3/20).
NAMES: Former Patriots coach BILL BELICHICK is reportedly shopping a book, but the tome is not a behind-the-sidelines exposé on former NFLer TOM BRADY, owner ROBERT KRAFT and the storied franchise, rather of the business variety. A source said, “It’s the big business imprints that are the ones meeting and bidding on it.” The book is being shopped via InkWell Management co-founder RICHARD PINE (PAGE SIX, 3/19)....Mavericks minority owner MARK CUBAN, who voted for former South Carolina Gov. NIKKI HALEY in the 2024 GOP primary, is now supporting President JOE BIDEN and attended the President's second fundraiser in Dallas. Biden's appearance with Cuban is part of the president's larger effort to "court donors and supporters" of Haley following her exit from the race (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/20)....During a campaign swing through Wisconsin last week, President JOE BIDEN met privately with Bucks owner WES EDENS and the team’s head coach DOC RIVERS. Edens didn’t donate to Biden in 2020 but wrote him a $6,600 check in December (POLITICO, 3/20)....Camden Community Partnership has received a six-figure grant from the Sixers Youth Foundation to fund youth fitness initiatives throughout the city of Camden. The donation will be utilized for enhancements and the expansion of Open Gym and Resource Nights. HBSE COO LARA PRICE met with with Camden Police Chief GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ, Camden Mayor VICTOR CARSTARPHEN, Commissioner Director LOUIS CAPPELLI JR. of Camden County and DANA REDD, former Camden Mayor and CEO of Camden Community Partnership (HBSE).
