MLB Spring Training Park Becomes Youth League Playground at 2026 Governor’s Baseball Dinner
2026 Governor’s Baseball Dinner Brings Out Talent on Many Levels
By Nick Gandy
In a setting created for baseball players at the highest skill level, it was local Youth and Miracle League baseball players on center stage.
The 2026 Governor’s Baseball Dinner, held at CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the spring training home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, featured three National Baseball Hall of Fame members, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, a pitcher who won more than 100 games in both the American and National League and a local product who is one of three players in MLB history to hit more than 70 home runs and win10 or more games as a pitcher.
Then, there was the namesake of the dinner, the Governor of Florida.
However, for over an hour prior to the dinner, all of that talent was on the field, which will be filled with Major League Baseball players, through the end of March, cheering on and advising local youth players enjoying America’s Pastime.
“Baseball can be played by anyone,” said Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis.
He mentioned the size and stature of two of the game’s greats.
“Yogi Berra couldn’t play football, but he’s a Hall of Fame baseball player.,” he said.
If you saw Greg Maddux walking down the street, you wouldn’t think he was one of the best pitchers of all time. You would think he’s an accountant.”
Seven-time Cy Young Award Winner, Roger Clemens, gave a pointer to 20 or more youth league players from the Okeeheelee Youth Baseball League, that will carry over to their adult life.
“It takes zero talent to hustle,” he said. “Your coaches will notice that. Some of you are almost as tall as Jose Altuve now, who plays in this stadium has played for the Astros for 15 years.
Hall of Fame catcher and the 2026 Governor’s Baseball Legend of the Game honoree, Johnny Bench, currently resides in Palm Beach County and donates his time to the Miracle League of Palm Beach County.
As they walked onto the field, several players took notice of the now 78-year old member of the 1970s Cincinnati Reds, “Big Red Machine,” and excitedly claimed, “I remember you!”
Bench greeted each one of them with a hug.
“My heroes are the parents and coaches of these Miracle League players,” Bench said. “Day in and day out working to keep their families together through all of the mental and physical challenges and working with them to play this game.
A call to the bullpen was made during the Miracle League game and the former member of the Yale Bulldogs, Governor Ron DeSantis, made his way to the mound to pitch for an inning.
“I got shelled out there today,” he told the assembled crowd of 275 in attendance for the dinner.
Speaking on behalf of the presenting sponsor, the Orlando Dreamers, an organization seeking to bring Major League Baseball to Central Florida, Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin (pictured at left) pointed out in amazement the MLB alumni in the crowd.
It seemed never ending, Johnny Bench, Johnny Damon, Jeff Conine, Ozzie Smith (Hall of Fame shortstop), Roger Clemens, Dennis Martinez (won 100 games in the American and National League), Rick Ankiel (one of three players to hit more than 70 home runs and win 10 games as a pitcher along with Babe Ruth and Shohei Otani), Luis Alicea and Tony Armas.
For those who weren’t aware of the talent in the room, Larkin made sure they did.
Palm Beach County Mayor Kathy Baxter, Governor DeSantis and the host of Major Leaguers all commended local leaders and the teams on their ongoing efforts to provide top-notch baseball facilities for players of all levels.
With two facilities hosting four teams, Palm Beach County holds the designation of Florida’s Capital of Spring Training Baseball. The county’s facilities also host numerous youth and amateur baseball tournaments year round.
During an interview with ESPN Radio West Palm Beach, Governor DeSantis recalled back to his playing days at Dunedin High School.
“I played high school baseball at the best stadium I ever played in, Dunedin Stadium, now the TD Ballpark, home of the Toronto Blue Jays,” he said. “None of the stadiums I played in college were nicer than my high school home stadium.”
As with any time a group of baseball players are gathered, there are stories to be told and the 2026 Governor’s Baseball Dinner was no different.
During a panel discussion emcee Adam Shapiro asked about how Florida Spring Training affected the careers of those on the panel. It came back to the legends in attendance learning valuable lessons from their mentors.
“Willie Mays told me, you’ve got to be all in physically and all in mentally,” Barry Larkin said. “I never heard that before, but it was the kind of wisdom that affected me in spring training. You didn’t get that during the regular season. Everyone was out doing their job and it was much more competitive.”
Known as Mr. Marlin, Jeff Conine spent his first few years away from South Florida and learned from one of the game’s all-time greats.
“I started my career with the Kansas City Royals with George Brett and in spring training you had time to talk shop with the guys,” he said. “He would talk to us about the game and how to mentally prepare for the long season.”
Then there were the hijinks that accompany the early season prep of Major League Baseball.
“I spent my first spring training with the Boston Red Sox in Wonderful Winter Haven,” said Clemens. “Here I was, a kid out of the University of Texas thinking I was hot stuff. My veteran roommate locked me out of my room at the Holiday Inn. I spent my first night in spring training on a lounge chair on the pool deck. Take that rookie.”
The evening ended with the hosts of the dinner, Florida Sports President/CEO, Maicel Green and the Palm Beach County Executive Director, George Linley, presenting Bench with the Legend of the Game Award (pictured at right).
In his closing remarks of the show, Bench told the story about listening to games on the radio and hearing about fellow Oklahoman, Mickey Mantle. His dad told him being a catcher was the best way to make it to the big leagues.
He followed his advice and won two Most Valuable Player Awards, two World Series Championships and is the Reds all-time leader with 389 career home runs.
He noted a significant difference in the game from his playing time to now, other than the state-of-the-art amenities offered at Florida Spring Training sites like CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
“I don’t begrudge the money these players are making now,” he said with a laugh. “Good for them. I made $11,000 in my rookie year. But I was a kid from Oklahoma playing baseball. It was great. It would have been nice for guys like Ozzie (Smith) and I to make what the guys make now but I don’t begrudge them.”
Whether there’s a paycheck or not, Baseball is fun and it can be played by anyone and enjoyed by all.
Nick Gandy is a 40-year sports communications professional who has worked with the Florida Sports Foundation, the state of Florida’s lead sports promotion and development organization, since 1998.