Yankees host annual HOPE Week to shine light on the best in the Bronx
Becker and Sole were trainers with the Yankees whose roles changed during the pandemic. They turned into intake testers, checking temperatures and symptoms for the Yankees during the height of COVID-19.
More Stories
The New York Yankees held their yearly HOPE Week, putting the spotlight on two former Yankees employees who helped out the team – and each other - during a time of need.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone and some of the players came together to take a tour of Arthur Avenue in Belmont. They also honored two former employees – Jon Becker and Mike Sole.
Becker and Sole were trainers with the Yankees whose roles changed during the pandemic. They turned into intake testers, checking temperatures and symptoms for the Yankees during the height of COVID-19.
“This guy taught me the ropes right away,” said Becker about Sole.
Both moved on from the organization but have remained friends since. Sole’s health began to deteriorate in 2022, discovering that he needed a new liver at 30 years old. Thankfully, Becker found he was a perfect match to be his friend’s living donor.
On Oct. 31, 2023, Becker and Sole underwent the lifesaving procedure. They say that Tuesday is the first time they’ve spent time together since they left the hospital from that transplant.
“You may not all be called to donate an organ but there's so many other ways you can get involved… do some of those things to help someone going through that,” said Becker.
HOPE Week lasts through this Friday. Click here to learn more about Donate Life America and HOPE Week.
