An Evening With Al Clark and James Fiorentino at RC Collectibles
Lebanon, NJ-Nationally recognized artist James Fiorentino will take part in a celebration of baseball at RC Collectibles, 1060 Rt 22 W Lebanon, NJ 08833 on Saturday May 5 , 2018. Doors will open at 12 pm and the festivities will take place all day with prizes, silent auction and the unveiling of James’s new original artwork “Iconic History Called by Al Clark” commemorating the career of veteran Major League Baseball umpire Al Clark.
The original painting has been made into limited edition giclees that will be signed by James and Al who will also inscribe each moment with the date and description that he was there. The moments include Bucky Dent’s famous home run in Fenway Park, Dave Righetti’s no hitter at Yankee Stadium, Randy Johnsons first no hitter, Nolan Ryans 3ooth win, Cal Ripken Jr’s 2130 and 2131 game and the 1989 World Series (Earthquake series) final out. The artwork depicts a quarter century of some of the most iconic baseball moments. This is a very unique piece that James has created and will be available for the first time at RC Collectibles.
“When one thinks about a ‘Professional’ at the top of his or her ‘game’, one knows that total quality is at bay. This is what I found so totally accurate working with wildlife and athlete artist James Fiorentino. From the inception of an original idea, to the sketches he puts on paper, to the commitment to excellence of the finished product being so unique and down right good, it’s no wonder so many awards have been bestowed upon this so talented artist. From an umpire’s perspective, James worked a whole season and didn’t miss a play…from a player’s perspective, his work is like hitting a game winning grand slam home run…like every day!” Al Clark umpire 1976-2001
In addition to the signing there will be a special talk with Al and James about the paintings most famous moments and their stories of baseball. The signing will take place from 4-5 and talk -reception from 5-7 with food and drinks being served throughout the day. Some of the proceeds from the event will benefit BEST scholarships.
BEST, Inc. was co-founded in 2008 as an attempt to aid students in need of financial assistance to fulfill their dreams and goals of obtaining a college education. A post secondary education can be obtained with the assistance of a scholarship award from BEST, Inc. A mentor is assigned to each student who qualifies for an award and will follow the student throughout his/her college career. www.thebestscholars.org
ABOUT JAMES FIORENTINO
James Fiorentino (b. 1977) is an American artist who currently resides in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. James’s artwork was recognized at an early age. At the age of fifteen, James Fiorentino became the youngest artist ever to be featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for his likeness of Reggie Jackson. In 1998, James became the youngest artist to be inducted into the prestigious New York Society of Illustrators, along with such artists as Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth. A graduate of Drew University where James was also the starting shortstop for all four years of his college career. He has painted for and met many legends of the past and stars of today, including Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Cal Ripken Jr. , Arnold Palmer and Muhammad Ali to Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Albert Pujols. His photo-realism in watercolor has helped him become a nationally-known wildlife and portrait artist, painting people from everyday life to Presidents and Nobel Peace Prize winners. Many of James’ works currently grace the walls of notable museums, galleries, Universities, companies and private collections. James’ work has won numerous awards and can be seen nationally in books and magazines and on trading cards. In 2001, “The Fiorentino Collection” consisted of approximately 100 paintings for Upper Deck Trading Cards depicting legends in five major sports. James’ work and story has been carried on international and national television shows, and in magazines and newspapers. James is a member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, Society of Animal Artists and Artists For Conservation. James is also a trustee of the Raptor Trust of NJ and D & R Greenway Land Trust. www.jamesfiorentino.com
ABOUT AL CLARK
Al Clark enjoyed 30 years employed by organized baseball. Twenty-six years were in the Major Leagues, starting in 1976 as an American League Umpire and converting to a Major League Umpire in 2000, before being retired in 2001. Mr. Clark worked 3,392 regular season games (14th most by an umpire in MLB history) along with 59 post season games including two World Series (1983- Philadelphia vs. Baltimore and 1989- Oakland vs. San Francisco), two All Star Games (1984 in San Francisco and 1995 in Texas), three American League Division Series (1981-1996-2000) and five American League Championship Serives (1979-1982-1987-1992-1999).
Clark was eye witness to may iconic baseball moments during his more than a quarter century in the Big Leagues. Al was on the field in 1978 at Boston’s Fenway Park when Bucky Dent hit the home run that launched the New York Yankees to victory over the Red Sox in the one game Eastern Division Play-off. He worked behind home plate during Randy Johnson’s first no-hitter in Seattle in June 1990; he was behind the plate when Nolan Ryan earned his 300th win in Milwaukee’s County Stadium in July 1990; and he witnessed Yankee Dave Righetti’s July 4th no-hitter at Yankee Stadium in 1983 from his position at 3rd base. Al was at Candlestick Park in San Francisco when the ’89 Earthquake World Series was postponed for ten days and he was behind home plate in 1995 when Cal Ripken, Jr. tied Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak and watched with admiration with a whole nation the next night when Ripken became the all-time leader. Clark was also a member of umpire crews that were first to umpire at “The Jake” (Jacobs Field) in Cleveland, Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, and The Ball Park in Arlington (Texas) along with closing the cavernous Cleveland Stadium, “The Mistake by the Lake”.
Al is an answer in baseball trivia, too. He is the first and only Jewish Umpire ever hired by the American League. He is the only person in all professional sports to ever wear his name on his hat: AL for “AL”, and American League, too. He also ejected his dad, veteran New Jersey sportswriter, Herb, from the Umpire’s Dressing Room at old Yankee Stadium.
