by Matt Dzenawager
The Carl Yastrzemski Award, given to the best player in Suffolk County, and the Diamond Award, given to the best positional player in Nassau County, are two of the most prestigious honors for Long Island High School baseball players.
This year the Carl Yastrzemski Award was earned by Matt Hogan of Half Hollow Hills East High School and the Diamond Award was earned by Anthony D’Onofrio of Wantagh High School.
Despite living in different counties, the game of baseball has brought Hogan and D’Onofrio together.
The two have played travel ball together since they were 11 for the Long Island Titans organization and have forged a long-lasting, great friendship. “Everyday, every weekend we’ve had games and stuff,” Hogan said “baseball is more of a brotherhood bond.”
Both D’Onofrio and Hogan are set to play division one ball this upcoming fall. Hogan is committed to play at Vanderbilt University and D’Onofrio is committed to play for Hofstra University.
With both of them committed to competitive programs Hogan said “It’s so awesome, we’ve both played forever, hopefully one day we will play against each other. He’s worked so hard.”
Although the two wouldn’t describe their relationship as competitive, they push each other to play to the best of their ability, “I want to see him do as best as he can” D’Onofrio said “If I see him get a hit, I want to get a hit, we always push each other.”
Even with the new honor, the two have been recognized countless times for their play on the field. In his senior campaign Hogan was the League III Most valuable player as well as earning all league and all county honors. D’Onofrio earned 1st team All-County, All-Long Island, and All-State honors his senior year.
Growing up in New York, they both idolized former New York Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter as he is a great example of how to carry yourself on and off the field.
While they both of had a tremendous amount of hard earned success in baseball, they each have had success in other sports. D’Onofrio has started two years for Wantagh’s varsity football team and was named all-county twice. Hogan was awarded all-league honors for his performance in Winter Track.
For D’Onofrio his goals in the future include winning a championship at Hofstra and hopefully getting selected in the MLB draft in his junior or senior year. For Hogan making it to the major leagues and playing the game for as long as he possibly can.
