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Brockton Rox

One of MLB's Greatest Closers to Lead Rox Hot Stove

January 27, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Brockton, MA (January 27, 2009) - Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Lee Smith, whose 478 career saves place him third all-time in Major League Baseball history, will join baseball fans and other distinguished guests at the Brockton Rox 7th Annual Hot Stove Banquet, presented by Webster Bank on Friday, February 6th at The Shaw's Center. Smith will headline a guest list including former Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette, baseball promotions trailblazer Mike Veeck, and Rox new Manager Chris Carminucci.

In the history of Major League Baseball, no pitcher has recorded the game's final out more times than Lee Smith. He finished 802 games over a career which spanned 18 seasons. He pitched for eight different teams including a three-year stint with the Boston Red Sox from 1988 - 1990. Smith was recognized with All-Star honors seven times, led his respective league in saves four times and retired in 1997 as the game's all-time saves leader. He has since been passed by just two pitchers, Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, both widely recognized as certain Hall-of-Famers when their time comes. Yet for the second consecutive year, the Brockton Rox find themselves with a Hot Stove speaker whose accomplishments are those befitting a Hall of Famer, but the recognition has not yet come. Following Jim Rice who appeared at 2008 Hot Stove Banquet and who was elected on his 15th and final attempt this year, Lee Smith has been snubbed in each of his five seasons on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Discovered by legendary scout Buck O'Neil, and drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1978 Major League draft, Smith still holds the Cubs career record for saves with 180 from 1980 - 1987. Smith was a menacing physical presence on the mound at Fenway Park after the Red Sox acquired him in a trade with the Cubs in December 1987.

The Boston Red Sox won 54 games in 1994, the first year Dan Duquette took over as General Manager. In 2001, his last full year at the top, the team won 82 games and had assembled the core that would win Boston's first World Series title since 1918 just three years later. Duquette was responsible for acquiring players such as Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, Manny Ramirez, and Johnny Damon. He was also the General Manager of the Montreal Expos from 1991 - 1993. He was twice recognized as the top GM in Major League Baseball. The Sporting News named him the MLB Executive of the Year in 1992, and the Boston Baseball Writer's Association did the same in 1995.

It is with the belief that anything is possible and no idea is too silly that Mike Veeck operates his ball clubs. Veeck has been involved in some of the most successful, and in some cases volatile (see Disco Demolition, 1979) promotions in minor league baseball history. He currently owns or consults for six different minor league teams and speaks at seminars and conferences across the country. His working mantra of "Fun Is Good" is the title of his book and corporate training video. Mike's career began with the Chicago White Sox, where he worked with his father, Hall of Famer Bill Veeck. He has worked with four different Major League clubs: the White Sox, Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Detroit Tigers. In 1992, he was recognized with the MacPhail Award, given annually for excellence in promotion with minor league teams.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at approximately 7:30 p.m. The program will feature an open question and answer session with the speakers. Individual tickets for the event are $55 with private tables of ten available. A limited number of tickets are available. There will be an auction and raffle with proceeds to benefit Father Bills and MainSpring, an initiative aimed at preventing and eventually ending homelessness in Massachusetts. Tickets are currently available at the Rox front office located at Campanelli Stadium or by phone at (508) 559-7000.

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