Long walk to Yankee Stadium will end today
After 1,150 miles, he’ll walk the final steps to the gates of Yankee Stadium. Then he’ll touch home plate.
Richard Albero’s family thought he was crazy when he announced his plan to walk from the Yankees’ spring training home in Tampa to the team’s stadium in the Bronx. But nobody doubted he’d give the trek his all.
Albero, a 65-year-old former naval officer and math teacher who lives in Dunedin, began his long walk at Steinbrenner Field’s home plate on March 2. He wanted to honor his nephew, Gary Albero, who died in the 9/11 attacks. Along the way, he has sought donations for the Wounded Warrior Project. With a week before his 86-day walk was to end, Albero had raised $27,000, surpassing his goal of $25,000.
Support drivers helped along the way, shuttling Albero from the road to hotels and back for the next day’s walk. He paid for hotels and meals with money he initially saved for a trip to Italy.
“I’ll be all right,” Albero said before he left in the spring. “I’m not worried. You had soldiers come back with no legs. What do I have to worry about?”
He’ll be joined by Wounded Warriors on the final leg of his walk. Then, the Yankees will honor him in an on-field ceremony.
Albero chronicled his journey at his website.
