Imagine a great Sunday Italian feast, only this time with 100 members of your extended family. And at the helm, sits the incomparable Bobby Valentine. For those in attendance Thursday evening at Carmine’s in Brooklyn, this epic gathering was a reality, led by the former New York Mets manager in support of the Italian American Baseball Foundation.

Valentine sat elated at the head of the table as the foundation’s guest of honor during their second annual fundraiser. As he stepped to the stage to accept his award, the recognition humbled the usually boastful Valentine.“I have goosebumps right now receiving an award that I’m probably not even worthy of,” Valentine said Thursday evening.