Winter Wishes brightens holidays for kids

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Inside Studio 3, the “MLB Tonight” crew was talking about hot topics such as the Rangers pursuing Edwin Encarnacion, Odubel Herrera’s contract extension with the Phillies and Aroldis Chapman’s thoughts on how he was used during the World Series.

Elsewhere in the MLB Network building at the same time Friday night, important guests were engrossed in such hot topics as fancifully wrapped presents, elves, the World Series trophy, a magician, a junior home run derby in Studio 42, food and fun galore.

Major League Baseball threw its annual Winter Wishes party for 35 kids from the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, Castle Hill Unit, in the Bronx. This year the party was moved to MLB Network, where the kids got to chat with analysts and former pitchers Joe Magrane and Dan Plesac, plus host Paul Severino, while dining in the Say Hey Cafe upstairs.

MLB employees who volunteered for Winter Wishes each received a holiday wish-list letter from a youth at the club, and presents were piled up when the kids arrived Friday — sometimes for siblings. There was also a performance by magician Randy Masters and a visit by Mr. Met.

“It’s always a great day to have kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Tom Brasuell, MLB’s vice president of community affairs. “But this was a unique venue for them to come to MLB Network. The big thing is the gifts that these kids get.

“They are so appreciative. They’re having so much …

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