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Fresno Grizzlies

Clovis West Grad Heidi Watney Joins Star-Studded Guest List for Hot Stove Gala

January 26, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Grizzlies will host the 54th annual Hot Stove Gala 11 days from today at the Fresno Convention Center, featuring special guests Harold Reynolds, Rex Hudler, Brad Mills and today's announcement of MLB Network studio host and reporter Heidi Watney. The 2015 Gala on Saturday, February 7th begins at 5:00 p.m. and features a silent auction, a three-course dinner with wine, raffle prizes, as well as the opportunity for photographs and autographs with the special guests, and the ability to participate in the evenings question-and-answer session.

Watney, 33, is a 1999 graduate of Clovis West High School. After graduating from the University of San Diego in 2003, she worked as a sports anchor and host for KMPH-TV FOX 26 and KFIG-AM radio in Fresno. Additionally, Watney has covered the LA Galaxy for Time Warner Cable SportsNet in Los Angeles and served as the Boston Red Sox field reporter for New England Sports Network (NESN) from 2008-11. Hired in 2012 by MLB Network, she serves as the main host of Quick Pitch and contributes to special event programming throughout the year.

Tickets for the Gala are currently on sale and can be purchased online or by contacting Whitney Campbell at 559.320.2547 or through email at wcampbell@fresnogrizzlies.com. All proceeds from the event benefit the Grizzlies Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has donated over $250,000 to worthwhile causes throughout the Central Valley over the last three years. The deadline to purchase tickets is by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4th.

The evening also includes award presentations to Valley area high school athletes, a select member from the media who demonstrated outstanding coverage of the Grizzlies during the 2014 season, and the prestigious Al Radka award recipient.

A visual history celebrating the legacy of baseball in Fresno will be on display during the event and will feature rare ballpark renderings, photos, and newspaper clippings. To stay informed of additions to the Hot Stove schedule and special guest list, follow the Fresno Grizzlies on Facebook, Twitter (@FresnoGrizzlies), and Instagram (@instagrizz_fg).

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ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL SPECIAL GUESTS APPEARING AT THE HOT STOVE GALA

Featured guest Harold Reynolds recently completed his first year on the top broadcast team for MLB on FOX, working alongside Tom Verducci and Joe Buck during the 2014 World Series, 2014 All-Star Game, and other notable regular season games. For the past six years, he's served as the lead studio analyst for MLB Network. In 2013, Reynolds was named the Sports Emmy Winner for Outstanding Studio Analyst. During his 12-year playing career with the Seattle Mariners (1983-92), Baltimore Orioles (1993) and California Angels (1994), Reynolds was awarded three Gold Gloves for his defensive work at second base and also was a two-time American League All-Star. He was a major-league teammate of former Fresno Grizzlies manager Shane Turner and former Grizzlies players Omar Vizquel, J.T. Snow, Jack Voigt, Jeffrey Hammonds and Eric Gunderson.

Rex Hudler has roots in the Valley stretching back to his days at Bullard High School (Class of 1978), where he blossomed into a three-sport star for the Knights. After considering athletic scholarship offers from Notre Dame and the University of Michigan, he forewent college and signed with the New York Yankees after being selected with the 18th overall pick in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft. Over his 21-year playing career, Hudler spent 12 of them on major-league rosters with the Yankees (1984-85), Baltimore Orioles (1986), Montreal Expos (1988-90), St. Louis Cardinals (1990-92), California Angels (1994-96), and Philadelphia Phillies (1997-98). Nicknamed "Wonder Dog" for his energizing personality on and off the field, Hudler was a 1999 inductee into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame.

Brad Mills, who was the bench coach for the Boston Red Sox when they won the World Series in 2004 and 2007, is an Exeter High School and College of Sequioas alumni, and currently serves as the Third Base Coach for the Cleveland Indians. Prior to his appointment with the Indians, he served as the Houston Astros manager from 2010-12. Notable Astros who played for Mills include Hunter Pence, Jason Castro, and 2014 American League batting champion Jose Altuve.

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