Steve Shirley Returns Thursday
Published on August 5, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS, SD (August 5, 2008) - What do you get when you put together Presidential Candidates, The Amazing Spider-Man, Bull Durham, Baseball Cards, 1,000 Prizes, a Hall of Fame Induction, and (of course) Fireworks? You get excitement, and lots of it, as the Sioux Falls Canaries return home this Thursday to kick-off the biggest promotional week of the 2008 American Association Season.
"With all that is happening at the Birdcage this week, I think it is time I came back to Sioux Falls," said Canaries Manager Steve Shirley. "I am feeling like myself again, and my doctors have given me the green light to return, so I certainly don't want to miss out on all the fun."
Shirley returns from a medical leave resulting from a blood clot discovered in his lung to manage the team from the dugout on Thursday for the first time since the Canaries clinched the First Half North Division Championship on June 26. Thursday's game will also feature "Parrot Heads & Pirates" in a tribute to the music of Jimmy Buffett.
On Friday, the Canaries will pair the always popular "Friday Night Fireworks" presented by Sanford Health, with the "Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame Induction" presented by Topps. The Canaries will make Los Angeles Angels Scout Brad Sloan and Kansas City Royals scout Art Stewart the first two inductees into the Sioux Falls wing of the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame features wings at all stadiums of all six Goldklang Group teams (Sioux Falls Canaries, St. Paul Saints, Hudson Valley Renegades, Fort Myers Miracle, Brockton Rox & Charleston Riverdogs).
Saturday's game will be "A Salute to Our Heroes" presented by First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard. To salute Sioux Falls heroes, the Canaries will offer free tickets to police officers and fire fighters who wish to attend Saturday's game. The night will feature an appearance by "The Amazing Spider-Man" presented by Marvel Comics.
The 2008 Presidential Race comes front and center at Sioux Falls Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Bobblection Week 2008 arrives in Sioux Falls. Bobblection Week 2008 begins on Wednesday in New York at the home of the Hudson Valley Renegades and travels through the Goldklang Group to Brockton, MA (Thursday), Charleston, SC (Friday), and St. Paul, MN (Saturday), before coming to Sioux Falls on Sunday and wrapping-up in Fort Myers, FL on Monday. Fans at every stadium will be given the choice between bobbleheads of Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain and Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. The candidate whose bobblehead runs out first at each stadium will be declared that site's winner, as the Goldklang Group attempts to accurately predict the 2008 Presidential Election as they did four years ago when George W. Bush defeated John Kerry in four out of seven ballparks.
In the wake of this year's Bobblection results, will come Topps "Night of 1,000 Prizes" on Monday night at the Birdcage. The annual late-season tradition will see fans receive prizes of all sorts as they come through the gates on Monday night.
Tuesday, it will be the Sioux Falls Canaries featured on baseball cards handed out at the gates, in as the official 2008 Sioux Falls Canaries team card sets are handed out to the first 500 fans of all ages, courtesy of Sanford Health. Tuesday will also be a "Top Ticket or Turkey Tuesday" presented by Dakota Provisions.
The biggest promotional week of the 2008 season comes to its grand conclusion on Wednesday night, as the Canaries celebrate the "20th Anniversary of Bull Durham" on a "$1 Hot Dog Wednesday" presented by Wimmers Hog Dogs.
American Association Stories from August 5, 2008
- American Association recap-- August 6 - AA
- Diablos get better of X's - El Paso Diablos
- El Paso takes the rubber match, 4-1 - Sioux City Explorers
- AirHogs Hurl Three-Hit Gem, Win 6-1 - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Sports drop finale - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Lefty Landeros handcuffs Lincoln for 8 innings - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Kniginyzky's Roll Continues as Blue Rocks Edge Warthogs - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Saints Prove Resilient in 9-7 Come Back Win - St. Paul Saints
- Win Streak Halted in 9-7 Loss - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Steve Shirley Returns Thursday - Sioux Falls Canaries
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