Sports

Glazer to present old pal Strahan at Canton

They bonded the first day of Michael Strahan’s first training camp.

“We actually saw this dude at Giant camp trying to jump over a fence and he hooked his shorts on it, and he rolled down the hill, and he kinda had his hat still up on the fence,” FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer said. “He had a lazy eye to begin with, so it kinda looked like the cartoons when you get up and your eye’s looking one way, you get birds circling around your head with the stars, and he was an executive with the Giants — and nobody was laughing, except for two people … me, and knucklehead, that was it. We were dying!

“And afterwards, he came up to me and said, ‘Hey, man, thank God you were laughing and I wasn’t the [only] one!’ He has that loud cackle, you know? There’s no mistaken who was laughing. He never talked to either one of us ever again. That’s OK, ‘cause I got a best friend out of it.”

Glazer, who also has been involved in the FOX Sports series “MMAtheltics” and is a pitchman for Subway, will be Strahan’s presenter Saturday when the former Giant is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“This is, by far, the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me in my life, and it’s not even about me,” Glazer said.

It is about a man he considers his brother.

“You meet certain people in your life where you know you can count on them for absolutely no matter what,” Glazer said, “and that’s who I am to him, and that’s who he is to me.”

Asked how emotional he will be on the Canton stage, Glazer said, “If you see me joking up there, it’s because I’m about to cry.”

And asked how he would characterize the speech, Glazer said, “Don’t let the gap-tooth smile fool you. That dude when he played was a bad S.O.B.”

Murphy big fan of Irish Heritage band

Daniel Murphy would love to be able to sneak out of his pregame meeting Friday to watch Black 47 on Mets Plaza before Mets-Giants.

“I don’t like the band just because they are Irish, but because they have a great sound.” Murphy said. “It’s too bad I won’t be able to take advantage of them being at the ballpark.”

The band will be on the hand to help the Mets celebrate Irish Heritage Night, and will be making their initial Citi Field appearance after playing the first ever Irish Heritage Night at Shea Stadium.

“Even though I won’t be able to get out there, I’m sure there will be plenty of fans to take my place,” Murphy said. “I have no doubt it’ll be a good show.”

Fans can purchase tickets for the night through Mets.com/irish or by calling 718-507-TIXX. Anyone purchasing tickets through the special on-line offer will receive a voucher for a limited edition, Irish Night T-shirt.

Tuesday’s live Mets-Phillies broadcast marks SNY’s first broadcast from the Shea Bridge, and the first outdoor broadcast since 2012. Three previous outdoor broadcasts have taken place from the Pepsi Porch.

Meadowlands makeover for Hambletonian

In 1981, the Meadowlands Racetrack lured the famous Hambletonian harness race to what was then a 5-year-old facility, giving a signature event with true international recognition to the racetrack.

Now with a new grandstand, the Hambletonian, scheduled for Saturday, is set for a facelift. Over the past decade, crowds ranging from 25,000 to 30,000 fans routinely pack the Meadowlands for what is the biggest draw of the race card at the track.

“I will be happy with that number holding stable, but would be delighted if there are more than 30,000 that turn out for the ‘new’ Hambletonian experience,” said Moira Fanning, director of operations at the Hambletonian Society.

“I think that Hambletonian ‘regulars’ will come, plus every casual race goer that may be interested in seeing the new building. … The traditional Hambletonian hat giveaway on this day also attracts some people who only come on that day to insure their Hambo hat collection is complete.”

“It’s a new era for the greatest trotting race in the sport of harness racing, and an exciting new home for fans to enjoy racing in a spectacular new environment,” said Tom Charters, president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society.

Playground hoops highlight ‘City Slam’

Sure, the NBA season may be over, but that doesn’t mean your summer can’t be filled with alley-oops, 3-pointers and slam dunks.

Starting Friday, ESPN will air it’s annual “City Slam” series which features playground players showcasing their skills in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington.

The show is hosted by comedian Reese Waters, who is a sports host on “AMHQ” on The Weather Channel and frequently appears on “Inside the NBA” on TNT during the NBA season.

“I thought I had seen it all in the NBA, but this growing subculture is ridiculously creative and athletic. Just like me,” Waters said.

Negron son opts for Auburn

Ricky Negron has opted to go to Auburn to play baseball for the Tigers.

Son of Ray Negron, a longtime Yankee executive who specializes in community relations, the infielder was a 39th-round draft pick of the Padres.

He is from Babylon, L.I., and batted .302 for Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College this past season.

Ricky, 19, is a disciple of Mr. October Reggie Jackson.

The same week he was drafted, his older brother John became a member of the Suffolk County Police Department.

“What a week it was,’’ Ray Negron said, adding that John wanted to become a police officer because of the work of the Silver Shield Foundation, a charity started by George Steinbrenner in 1982 that provides educational support for the children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

It’s ‘Night in Old San Juan’ with Beltran, wife

Carlos Beltran and his wife Jessica will be hosting “A Night in Old San Juan” charity gala on Sept. 7 at Gotham Hall.

“Jessica and I are thrilled to host this event and share what our foundation is all about,” Beltran said. “We’re going to bring Puerto Rico to Manhattan and show everyone a good time while raising money for a worthy cause.”

This red carpet affair will feature live music, authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, premium rum tastings, a high-end cigar bar and more, this event will also include a live and silent auction featuring sports memorabilia, vacations and other great packages. Several current and former players are expected to be in attendance.

Sponsorships range from $10,000-$50,000. All proceeds will benefit the Carlos Beltran Foundation, a 501c3 organization that promotes health, fitness and education for children from lower income families.

David does ‘Wright’ thing for NYPD heroes

This summer, under his “The Wright Thing” program he started last year, David Wright is recognizing NYPD officers who performed heroics in the line of duty.

“It’s a great way to honor my dad,” Wright said. “I’ve seen firsthand how my father risked his life every day. I’m fortunate to play a game I love and when I can, recognize the police who put their lives on the line for us every day. It’s the least I can do to honor their hard work and sacrifice.”