Mount Vernon honors Olympic champion Ryan Benjamin with plaza renaming

The Mount Vernon City Council convened recently to honor two distinguished athletes from the community, James Frank Rosen and Ryan Benjamin, recognizing their significant contributions to sports and their inspirational journeys.

James Frank Rosen, a native of Mount Vernon, was celebrated for his achievements in baseball. The resolution highlighted his early passion for the sport, which began in Brush Park during the 1980s and 1990s. Rosen was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1994 and later played in the New York Yankees' minor league system. He has transitioned into coaching, recently beginning his first season as the Yankees' hitting coach, marking a decade on major league coaching staffs and over two decades in professional baseball. The council expressed pride in Rosen's accomplishments and his role as a positive role model for aspiring athletes in the community.

The council also recognized Ryan Benjamin, a professional hurdler and sprinter, for his remarkable athletic achievements, including his participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Benjamin, who attended Mount Vernon High School, set multiple national records in the 400-meter hurdles and was a key member of the relay teams that earned gold medals in Paris. The council announced the renaming of Memorial Field Plaza to Ryan Benjamin Plaza in honor of his contributions and success, further solidifying his status as an inspiration for local youth.

Both resolutions were met with unanimous support from the council members, reflecting the community's pride in its athletes and their accomplishments on national and international stages.