EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Vida Blue Added to Squirrels Hot Stove Lineup

Published on January 13, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have announced that former Cy Young Award winner and American League MVP Vida Blue will represent the Giants at the 2nd Annual Hot Stove Banquet. The banquet will be held on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012, at Verizon Wireless Arena at the VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center.

Blue will be in attendance along with a celebrity lineup that includes Bill Buckner, Billy Wagner, Johnny Grubb, Dave Machemer, Ross Grimsley, Daryl Maday and Johnny Monell. All proceeds from the banquet will benefit Wagner's 2nd Chance Learning Center.

"The Giants are a big part of our family, and we're thrilled that Vida can be here to represent that relationship and interact with the Richmond baseball community," said Squirrels' Vice President & COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "He is a giant, pun intended, in the game, and his presence will only enhance what is going to be a special night."

The 2nd Annual Hot Stove Banquet will include a plated dinner, drinks, a VIP reception, an autograph session, a live entertainment program and a live auction. Flying Squirrels' season ticket and mini-plan holders can purchase individual tickets to the banquet for $75.00. Individual tickets are also available for non-season ticket or mini-plan holders for $100.00. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-FUNN (3866) or visiting the Flying Squirrels' Ticket Office at The Diamond. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the event.

Blue is esteemed for having pitched 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, winning 209 games and appearing in six all-star games. He is one of just nine pitchers in the history of baseball that have won both the Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player Award in the same season. He accomplished the feat while with the Oakland A's in 1971. He is also a three-time World Series champion and one of only four pitchers who have started the MLB All-Star Game for both the National and American League.

Additional luminaries from the baseball community that will be in attendance at the banquet are recently re-elected Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner and Eastern League President Joe McEachern.

Flying Squirrels' broadcasters Jon Laaser and Anthony Oppermann will again serve as emcees for the event, which moves to a new home on the VCU campus.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2nd Annual Hot Stove Banquet in four separate packages. Opportunities include; Presenting Sponsorship, Stage Sponsorship, Celebrity Table Sponsorship and Table Sponsorship.

***Second Chance Learning Center provides students in Southwest Virginia with a firm educational foundation in a relaxed environment by educating and teaching students through classroom instruction, mentoring, personal tutoring, student counseling and promoting continued education with scholarships and grants. For more information on the Second Chance Learning Center, please visit SecondChanceLearning.com.

Season ticket packages for the 2012 season of Flying Squirrels baseball are currently available. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Squirrels Ticket Office at The Diamond or call the Squirrels at (804) 359-FUNN (3866).

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from January 13, 2012


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