Dennis McCarthy: Just by playing the game, they're winners

Forty young men with special needs played in the Special Sports League all-star game Sunday at the Milken Center basketball gym in West Hills. Each of the men received medals.

The players high-fived everybody in sight, did cartwheels across the basketball floor, took shots at the wrong basket, stopped in mid-dribble to blow kisses to their moms up in the stands, and put up some of the wildest shots you've ever seen.

Hands down, the Special Sports League all-star game Sunday afternoon at the Milken Center basketball gym in West Hills was the most exciting one I've ever seen.

You never knew what was going to happen, but when it did you cheered and clapped like crazy because what you were seeing was pure beauty and innocence.

Forty young men with special needs playing their hearts out and just having fun - being the star for once in their lives.

I had the honor of awarding each of them gold medals before the game because we all knew the outcome.

The game would end in a tie just as it always does. The final score in the Special Sports League means nothing. Only participating and having fun does.

So thanks to all the parents sitting up in the stands clapping and cheering for all the players. Without their tireless commitment and love for their children, none of this happens.

And thank you to Jacques and Mary Hay for putting their hearts and money into this special sports league, and the summer camp they sponsor every year at the West

Valley Jewish Community Center for special needs children.

Winners, all of them.

A few hours after the game I was sitting in a back room at Maggiano's Restaurant in Woodland Hills breaking bread with the cast of "The Godfather."

My buddy John Antonucci invited me to meet his pals in the Grandsons of Italy. They were having a big sit-down with their wives and girlfriends.

Vinnie Corbo, Tony di Milo, Bill Poleri, John Murgo and a lot of other guys who said they'd rather not see their names in the newspaper.

One of the Grandsons' guiding principles is "to eat, laugh, and argue a moot point."

These guys talk tough, but I know the truth. They're a bunch of pussycats.

Every Christmas they throw a big party at St. Charles Catholic Church in Toluca Lake for more than 300 special needs kids from all over Los Angeles.

A couple of times during the year they cook big Italian dinners and brighten the lives of senior citizens in the Valley who don't get many laughs anymore.

These guys throw money around like they earned it legitimately. And, man, do they like to rib each other. Lots of laughs.

If you've got ties to the old country, the Grandsons of Italy want to talk to you. Don't disappoint them. Call 818-323-4041 or email them at goiia@yahoo.com.

They meet a couple of times a month over at Vitello's in Studio City.

And finally, I want to thank all the people who have called and emailed me asking how my book "Here's to the Winners" is doing.

Great. If we sell another 3,000 copies, we'll break even. Go online or stop by the Daily News anytime and pick up a signed copy.

My kids will thank you.

Dennis McCarthy's column appears in the Los Angeles Daily News on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. dennis.mccarthy@dailynews.com.

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