EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels' Inaugural Hot Stove Banquet Is January 28th

Published on January 3, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A Affiliate of the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, will be hosting their Inaugural Hot Stove Banquet at the Richmond Downtown Marriott on Friday, January 28th. Legendary pitcher Tommy John will headline the event. Additionally, the Flying Squirrels will honor Richmond-area baseball legend Eddie Kasko during the banquet. Former 20-game winner and current Flying Squirrels' pitching coach Ross Grimsley and Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Connor will also be part of the evening's festivities. The event will benefit three local charities; The United Way, SPARC and The Miracle League of Richmond.

The Hot Stove Banquet will include a cocktail reception, plated dinner, entertainment program, special celebrity speeches, live music, silent and live memorabilia auctions, and VIP and autograph sessions with attending celebrities.

"This is the first event in what we know will become a cherished offseason tradition," said Flying Squirrels' Vice President & COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "We're going to have an outstanding group of celebrities from the baseball world, and we will all have a great time getting together, gathering around the hot stove and gearing up for the upcoming season."

Tickets for the Flying Squirrels Inaugural Hot Stove Banquet are currently available and can be purchased by calling the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-FUNN (3866) or by visiting the Flying Squirrels' Ticket Office at The Diamond. Tickets are available to Flying Squirrels' season ticket and mini-plan holders for $75.00, and to non-package holders for $100.00. Fans that wish to purchase a ticket package and include the Hot Stove Banquet will receive the discounted rate. Sponsorship opportunities for the Hot Stove Banquet, including table sponsorship are also available. Please see attached flyer for sponsorship options.

Flying Squirrels' broadcasters Jon Laaser and Anthony Oppermann will host the event, which will also include local television and radio personalities, along with many that have impacted baseball in the Richmond community.

"We really wanted to make this a celebration of baseball in the area, and all the people that have helped make it special in the past, and will continue to do so in the future," said Laaser. "It's going to be a great night, the start of a special tradition that will really help us ramp up towards the 2011 season."

2011 Flying Squirrels Hot Stove Banquet Celebrity Guests:

* Tommy John (LHP) - Despite his 288 lifetime wins, John may forever be best known for the elbow surgery that bears his name. He posted a career record of 288-231 with an overall ERA of 3.34. His 288 wins are the seventh most all-time for a left-handed pitcher. He made four All-Star appearances and pitched in three World Series during a 26-year MLB career that spanned seven teams. In 1974, he suffered what was thought to be a career-ending elbow injury, when he damaged the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm. However, Dr. Frank Jobe performed what is now known as "Tommy John" surgery, replacing the UCL with a ligament from another part of the body. Although the success-rate of the operation now stands close to 90%, John was given a 1% chance of ever pitching again from Dr. Jobe. He miraculously returned to the mound in 1976, earning the National League Comeback Player of Year Award. He went on to pitch until he was 46-years-old, matching Deacon McGuire's record (since broken) for seasons in the majors with 26, and winning an astounding 164 additional games. In recent years, John has become a hot-button issue for those advocated his enshrinement into Cooperstown. He continues to bear the stigma of having the most wins of any pitcher not elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

* Eddie Kasko (SS, Manager) - Kasko spent the 1954 season with the Richmond Virginians before his contract was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals, sparking a 10-year Major League career. He appeared as a shortstop in over 1,000 games for the Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox. He was a National League All-Star with Cincinnati in 1961, the same season he led the Reds in hits during a World Series they lost to the New York Yankees. Upon his retirement as a player following the 1966 season, he began his managerial career, guiding the Red Sox Triple-A clubs for the next three seasons. The Red Sox made him their Major League manager in 1970, a post he held for four seasons. His teams never made the playoffs, but he posted a winning record (345-295) at the helm of the Sox. During that time, he is credited for incorporating eventual superstars Carlton Fisk and Dwight Evans into the Boston lineup. He also converted Bill "Spaceman" Lee from the bullpen into a successful starter and resurrected the career of Luis Tiant. Although he was relieved of managing duties following the 1973 season, he remained with Boston until 1994. He served as a scout (1974-77) and ultimately the role he held until his retirement, Director of Scouting and Vice President of Baseball Development. He was elected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2010. He is known as the adopted son of Richmond, having met his wife, Catherine, while playing for the Virginians in 1954. They have called Richmond home ever since, raising two sons, four granddaughters and a playful dog named Pepper.

* Ross Grimsley (LHP, Pitching Coach) - Now one of the most respected pitching instructors in the game, Grimsley was one of the more colorful pitchers in Major League Baseball during the 1970s. He broke into the big leagues in 1971 with the Cincinnati Reds, and helped the Reds to the 1973 National League pennant. He was named a National League All-Star in 1978, after recording the only 20-win season in Montreal Expos' history, going 20-11 with a 3.05 ERA. He earned the nickname "Scuz" during his playing career, due in large part to his signature mop of curly hair and prominent moustache. He will embark as his 13th season as an instructor in the Giants' organization in 2011, after serving as the pitching coach for the inaugural Flying Squirrels team in 2010.

* Pat O'Connor (President, MiLB) - The 11th president of Minor League Baseball, O'Connor was elected in December of 2007 to replace the retiring Mike Moore. Prior to his presidency, O'Connor served under Moore for 14 seasons, first as chief operating officer and then Vice President of Administration, the post he held from 1995 to his election as president. During that time, O'Connor helped oversee the largest historical gains in minor league history, as the game saw staggering increases in revenue across its 160 teams, and continually broke the overall attendance record. During his presidency, he has guided leagues through a difficult financial time, while also ushering the game into new technological and marketing fronts. A native of Grove City, OH, he previously spent time in executive roles with franchises in the South Atlantic, Texas and Florida State Leagues. He was named Florida State League Executive of the Year in 1988.

***Additional Celebrity Guests May be Added to Hot Stove Lineup

Media will have access to the event without being required to purchase a ticket. To request a media credential for the Hot Stove Banquet, please contact Jon Laaser in the Flying Squirrels' Media Relations office at jon.laaser@squirrelsbaseball.com.

Mini-Plan and Season Ticket packages for the 2011 season are currently available and can be purchased by calling the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-FUNN (3866) or by visiting the Flying Squirrels Ticket Office at The Diamond.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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