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CarL1 Salem Red Sox

FRED LYNN TABBED AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR SALEM RED SOX HOT STOVE BANQUET

December 19, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release


SALEM, Va. (December 19, 2008) - The Salem Red Sox, the Advanced Class-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, announced that Red Sox legend Fred Lynn will serve as the keynote speaker for the team's inaugural Hot Stove Banquet on January 29, 2009, at the Salem Civic Center. The Hot Stove Banquet will be held in conjunction with the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame's 18th annual induction ceremony.

The Hot Stove Banquet will include dinner and both silent and live auctions. Representatives from the Salem Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox will also be on hand for the festivities. Lynn's keynote address will also include a Q&A session from those in attendance.

"It's an honor to have one of the Gold Dust Twins speak at this inaugural event," said John Katz, General Manager of the Salem Red Sox. "I grew up watching Lynn, Jim Rice and Dewey Evans patrol the outfield at Fenway, and I am looking forward to listening to him speak of his incredible achievements on the diamond, especially on the magical 1975 season."

In 1975, Lynn became the first player in Major League Baseball history to win the Most Valuable Player Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season. The Red Sox won the AL Pennant that season as Lynn batted .331, leading the league with 47 doubles and 103 runs scored. In his remarkable career, he received four Gold Gloves and was a perennial All-Star, making the team nine times in a row. Lynn hit the only grand slam in All-Star History with a towering shot off Atlee Hammaker in the 1983 contest, earning him All-Star MVP honors. He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002 and the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

All of the proceeds from the night's festivities will help fund local non-profits and charities including the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame. The Hall will be funding a scholarship in honor of the late Posey Oyler, a Hall of Fame Board member and dedicated supporter of youth athletics in the Roanoke Valley.

The YMCA of Roanoke Valley will also receive proceeds from funds raised during the banquet. "The YMCA of Roanoke Valley is honored and excited to be part of the inaugural Hot Stove Banquet," said Cal Johnson, Executive Director of YMCA of Roanoke Valley. "This event is a win-win for the Roanoke Valley as it celebrates the arrival of the Red Sox to Salem, and at the same time benefits thousands of deserving children and families that the YMCA serves with character-building programs."

In addition, the Children's Miracle Network receives proceeds from the evening. "We are extremely proud to partner with the Salem Red Sox in saving and improving the lives of hospitalized children, and the best part is all of the money raised at the Hot Stove Banquet will remain within our community," said Erin Hildreth, Director of Community Services for the Children's Miracle Network.

The Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame will induct four new members, including Carey Harveycutter, Bruce Spencer, Jerry Ellis and Dee Dalton. The late Earl Crafton "E.C." Warren will be honored with the 2009 Wayne Lapierre Community Service Award.

Tickets for the Hot Stove Banquet are now available for purchase by calling the Salem Red Sox at (540) 389-3333. For more information on the Hot Stove Banquet, visit www.salemsox.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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