Congratulations to my friend Pete Falcone, who delivered some wonderful news today: the New York Yankees have offered his son, Joseph, a contract to play professional baseball.  Joey served our country a Marine and was deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan as a combat medic.  After leaving the military, he attended Columbia University as an Economic major and as a walk-on made the All-Ivy baseball team.  I am so proud of Joey and his Dad, who pitched in the majors for nine years, including four with the Mets.  Pete is from Brooklyn and grew up a Yankee fan, and I’m sure he’s thrilled that his son gets to play for the greatest sports team on the planet.  I thank Joey for the lives that he saved and for his service, and I am already among his growing number of fans.