Art Howe, Larry Dierker and Phil Garner (back row) joined George Masraff (front row, second to left) and 12 of his guest for dinner at Steamboat House last weekend as part of raising funds for Tony's Prostate Cancer Research. (Photo by Stephen Goff)
HOUSTON -- Former Astros managers Larry Dierker, Phil Garner and Art Howe spent time last weekend wining and dining with George Masraff and 12 of his guests at Steamboat House, located at 8045 N. Sam Houston Parkway W.
Masraff, the son of legendary Houston restaurant entrepreneur Tony Masraff (co-owner of Masraff's), submitted a winning bid during a live auction April 19 at the Swing with the Legends Golf Tournament at Redstone Golf Club in order to experience this unique and memorable evening with Dierker, Garner and Howe -- all of whom he admired as ballplayers and standout managers as a lifelong Astro fan.
Art Howe (left) and Larry Dierker (right) are strong supporters of Tony Masraff's cause to fund a non-invasive cure for prostate cancer. (Photo by Stephen Goff)
"They were heroes of mine growing up," Masraff said. "I've been a Houstonian since birth, and I've watched all three as players and managers. Now, they are three huge supporters of my father's cause for prostate cancer research.
"Last year, I submitted a winning bid for this same event for me and six guests, but I chose to defer it to this year so I could submit another winning bid at the golf tournament. That way, I could bring 12 guests."
Dierker, Garner and Howe shared old baseball stories from their playing and managing days with dinner guests before settling down in a private room to eat a ribeye steak dinner designated for males, while a filet mignon was on the menu for female guests.
The dinner represented another positive step forward for Tony's Prostate Cancer Research (TPCR), a non-profit organization (established by Tony Masraff in 2002), whose mission is to raise awareness and support the work of individual research scientists at the University of Texas, MD Anderson who are pursuing a preventive vaccine and non-invasive cure for prostate cancer.
Masraff invited his father as one of his 12 guests.
Phil Garner (right), known for giving back to the community, socializes with Larry Dierker (left) and Steamboat House owner Charlie Fogarty. (Photo by Stephen Goff)
The elder Masraff, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999, utilizes Tony's Prostate Cancer Research in collaboration with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) by hosting a golf tournament every April as a significant means to raise funds for the groundbreaking work of Dr. Christopher Logothetis, the Chairman of the Genitourinary Cancer Center at M.D. Anderson and team leader, Dr. Timothy Thompson.
Each year, the golf tournament grows with bigger names of former MLB players, with future Hall of Famer Jeff Kent now joining the lineup that already includes Bob and Ken Aspromonte, Kevin Bass, Gary Bell, David Clyde, Johnny Edwards, Bill Heath, Cliff Johnson, Chuck McElroy, Wally Moon, Jim Perry, Shane Reynolds, Steve Sparks, Bobby Tolan, Carl Warwick and Jimmy "The Toy Cannon" Wynn.
The research supported by TPCR made a major breakthrough in the medical field, with Dr. Thompson, one of the premier prostate cancer researchers in the United States, being instrumental in the development of GLIPR1, a potential defense against cancer.
The protein GLIPR1 acts as a natural suppressor to cancer development and represents a non-toxic treatment for prostate cancer. With M.D Anderson moving forward in the process, in conjunction with the FDA, of safety testing and eventual clinical testing, a cure for prostate cancer may actually be on the horizon.
Currently, TPCR has raised over $1.5 million.
Through the MLBPAA, Dierker, Garner and Howe have gotten to know Tony Masraff and his family as active participants at the golf tournament, and admire his overall passion and goal of seeking a cure for prostate cancer.
"Tony's the best," Howe said. "I met him last year at the golf tournament and I'm impressed with what he's trying to accomplish. We need more people like him in the world."
As for Garner, whose name has recently surfaced along with Bobby Valentine, Eric Wedge and Buck Showalter as potential candidates for the Baltimore Orioles managerial job, he made it a point to express his overall respect for societal difference makers, such as Tony Masraff.
"Here's a guy who took a potential bad news hit and did what so many of us want and do: he's done something positive about it," Garner said. "What Tony does is give the funds directly to the research and not allow the money to disappear into the atmosphere. We respect him and how he genuinely cares about funding a cure.
"It's in our political and academic culture to tear the U.S. down. People from other countries want to access our knowledge and wealth because we have a great country. Instead of tearing it down, we need more people like Tony who recognize 'we have a problem, let's fix it.'
"Let the people who complain move to the side so people like Tony can get it taken care of. It works; it is what it is."
Charlie Fogarty, the owner of Steamboat House, was more than happy to accommodate the trio of former managers, dinner guests and friend, Tony Masraff, at his steak restaurant, known for its museum of historical Texas antiques, including a painting of Sam Houston (main dining room) and George Washington (front entrance).
"I think the world of Tony," Fogarty said. "We've been a supporter for Tony for a few years now. Bill Bracken is a good customer of mine and Tony's. Bill got me interested in Tony's cause, and I've been a supporter over the last four years."
It's already been a memorable 2010 for Tony Masraff, who relocated his award-winning restaurant with his son, Russell Masraff (co-owner) to an upscale location near The Galleria. Also, he was the recipient of the Jefferson Award, considered to be the Nobel Prize in honoring community and public service in the United States.
"The research we've been funding has substance to it now," Tony Masraff said. "It's real and we're seeing results. We couldn't thrive in our cause if it wasn't for all our tremendous support staff who lend a helping hand everyday.
"Our new location for the restaurant has been special. Business is good and when the covered patio is done at the end of the month, it's going to be even better.
"Houstonians have become sophisticated in knowing their food. We take pride in our fresh wild fish, with each menu item cooked to order. We don't own a single microwave or steamer. We value customer satisfaction by providing a first-class dining experience with our specialty gourmet dinners prepared by world-class chefs."
For those wishing to make a contribution to TPCR, click here.
Be sure to follow the award-winning Masraff's, located at 1753 Post Oak Blvd., near The Galleria, on Facebook and Twitter.
Whether it's yourself, a family member or friend facing prostate cancer, Tony Masraff makes himself available to anyone needing to talk or seeking advice. He may be contacted at 713-376-1950 or tony@tpcr.org.
For the latest Houston Astros news, click on the Subscribe button at the top of the page. Also, be sure to follow Stephen Goff on Facebook and Twitter. To contact Stephen Goff via email, please write sgoff80@yahoo.com.
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MD Anderson appreciates all that the Masraff family and the Astros are doing to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
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