EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Sandberg, Manuel Headline Phillies Winter Banquet

Published on December 2, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - Major League Baseball and Reading Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, and Philadelphia Phillies Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock, are among the distinguished guests who will appear at the Phillies 2011 Winter Banquet on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at The Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel, as announced earlier today.

The event will begin at 5:30 PM with cocktail hour, and will feature prizes, autographs, highlight videos, dinner and more. As in past years, the event will also serve as the annual King of Baseballtown fundraiser, with Dick Ludy, who guided Boyertown Legion baseball to the 1982 American Legion Baseball World Series championship, being crowned the ninth King of Baseballtown. More information on Ludy, the 2011 King of Baseballtown, will be available at a later date.

Tickets for the banquet are $65 each or $600 for a 10-person table, and can be purchased in-person, online at readingphillies.com, or by phone (610-370-BALL). Proceeds benefit the Reading Phillies Baseballtown Charities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping more children, who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity, play baseball. Complete registration and financial information of Baseballtown Charities can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State at 1-800-732-0999. The Reading Phillies trademarked the name Baseballtown in 2002 and began programs in its name with goals to honor Reading's rich baseball history and secure its baseball future by giving more kids the opportunity to play and learn from the game's life lessons.

"We are extremely excited to be able to welcome Ryne Sandberg back to Reading, and its great to have him back in the Phillies family," said R-Phils GM Scott Hunsicker. "He is truly one of the greatest players to ever don a Reading Phillies uniform, and we are glad our fans will get a chance to see him right here in Baseballtown."

Sandberg, 51, was named the new manager of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs on November 15, 2010. During his illustrious 16-year playing career (1981-94, 1996-97), Sandberg was a 10-time National League All-Star and won nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards. He was originally drafted by the Phillies in 1978 and in 1980, "Ryno" appeared in 129 games for the R-Phils -- compiling a .310 batting average with 11 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases. In 1981, just a year removed from Reading, Sandberg made his major league debut with Philadelphia -- appearing in 13 games. The Spokane, Washington native finished his career with a .285 batting average, 282 home runs, 1,061 RBI and 344 stolen bases in 2,164 games. He was elected to the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, and his number "26" was retired by Reading on July 2, 2006.

Manuel, 67, was named as the 51st manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on November 4, 2004. In 2008, in just his fourth season at the helm, Manuel guided the Phillies to their second World Championship in franchise history and first since 1980. On October 21, 2009, Manuel became the first manager in franchise history to lead the Phillies to two consecutive World Series appearances. A native of North Fork, WV, Manuel was the Cleveland Indians manager from 2000-2002, posting a 220-190 record and leading the team to the American League Central Division title in 2001. Manuel will enter the 2011 season ranked fourth on the Phillies' all-time managerial wins list (544).

Proefrock, 50, joined the Phillies on November 17, 2008 as assistant general manager. In his role with the Phillies, he interprets the Major League Rules and Basic Agreement with the MLB Players Association and assists in trades, free agent acquisitions, arbitration and contract negotiations, along with player development and scouting.

The Reading Phillies will open the 2011 season at the newly-renovated FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, April 14 for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Akron Aeros. Fans interested in renewing their season tickets and mini-plans, can do so now by visiting readingphillies.com, or by calling 610-370-BALL. Individual game tickets will go on-sale online on Friday, February 18 and via phone and walk-up orders on Monday, February 28.

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Eastern League Stories from December 2, 2010


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