Harvard Alumni Who Played in the MLB

The CEO of Beryl Capital Management, David Witkin also serves Redondo Beach Unified School District as board vice president, in which role he helps provide oversight for a $90 million budget. David Witkin graduated from Harvard University and was a member of the school's Ivy League baseball team.

Since 1879, more than a dozen Harvard Crimson alumni have played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Below are three notable players. 

1. Jim Tyng - Harvard started its baseball program in 1871 and Tyng debuted for the team two years later. In 1879, the pitcher became the first ever Harvard alumnus to appear in a MLB game when he did so for the Boston Red Stockings. He played just three games and allowed 35 hits in 27 innings.

2. Tony Lupien - A veteran of six MLB seasons, Lupien played 614 games between the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox. He retired in 1948 with a career batting average of .268 to go along with 18 homeruns and 230 runs batted in (RBI).

3. Frank Herrmann - A native of Rutherford, New Jersey, Herrmann is the most recent Harvard alumnus to play for an MLB team. The pitcher made his big league debut in 2010 as a member of the Cleveland Indians and later joined the Philadelphia Phillies. In his four-year MLB career, he pitched 135.1 innings and allowed 151 hits, while striking out 86 batters.

Five Safety Tips for Ocean Swimming

David Witkin, chief executive officer of Beryl Capital Management, a merger arbitrage hedge fund in California, is also a member of the board of the Redondo Beach Unified School District. Outside of his professional pursuits, David Witkin enjoys ocean swimming. The unpredictable nature of ocean waters requires swimmers to take additional precautions, as outlined below: 

1. Understand hazards. Ocean waters move according to a complex series of systems that expose swimmers to a number of natural dangers, the number of which can increase the further swimmers are from shore. Hazards to understand include rip currents, shore breaks, and inshore holes. In addition, swimmers must pay close attention to waves and other sizes, as studies indicate that waves may result in injuries ranging from sprains and broken collarbones to dislocated shoulders and organ trauma. 

2. Check the weather. Storms introduce a whole new series of hazards to ocean swimming, from harsh winds and rough waves to freezing rains and lightning. Avoid ocean waters during storms and check weather forecasts before swimming. 

3. Stick to lifeguard-protected beaches. Even the best swimmers can misread ocean currents or encounter unexpected hazards. Consider restricting your ocean swimming to lifeguard-protected beaches and only swimming during daylight hours when lifeguards are present. 

4. Familiarize yourself with warning flags. Public beaches are marked with a series of different colored flags, which serve as warning symbols and indications of particular hazards. However, the meanings of different flag colors may vary from state to state, or even beach to beach. Learn the meaning of different flag colors at beaches you frequent and look up meanings of new ones. 

5. Respect aquatic life. Respect marine life and keep your distance from any species of aquatic creature you encounter, including dolphins, sharks, and other marine mammals. Jellyfish, in particular, can pose considerable harm, and sharks may mistake swimmers for prey, although attacks in the US are rare.

College Savings Nights Helped Parents Begin to Plan Ahead

David Witkin, CEO of Beryl Capital Management, serves his community on the board of the Redondo Beach Unified School District in California. David Witkin’s expertise as a merger arbitrage hedge fund manager has been an important factor in helping the school district to maintain responsible budgeting. As a member of the school board, Mr. Witkin was instrumental in organizing College Savings Nights in January 2017.

During College Savings Nights, members of the community were invited to hear a consultant with ScholarShare Inc. who shared strategies for saving money for college, specifically addressing 529 plans. The 529 college savings programs are operated by a state or educational institution and are intended to make saving for college easier.

Section 529 plans, created by Congress in 1996, offer a number of tax incentives and advantages. First, the plans offer flexible ownership; anyone can set them up and anyone can benefit from the savings. The plans also offer tax deferred growth and tax free withdrawals. Finally, the plans feature a diverse offering of investments. By setting money aside early in a 529, parents or grandparents can accumulate a good start on their child’s educational fund.

Funds saved through a 529 plan can be used toward any educational institution that meets federal accreditation standards. This includes four year colleges and universities, two year colleges, graduate and doctoral programs, and vocational or technical schools. The funds can also be applied to other school related expenses such as room and board, books, and related technology.