Bochy, Gardner To Highlight 2009 Hot Stove Banquet
January 8, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, CA - San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy and Clovis High School and Fresno State alum Mark Gardner have been confirmed as guests at the 48th Annual Hot Stove Banquet. The February 5th event will also feature Fresno Grizzlies manager Dan Rohn, live and silent auctions, and awards presented to several of the Valley's top baseball and softball athletes.
The 2009 season will be Bruce Bochy's third at the helm of the San Francisco Giants. The former Major League catcher has compiled almost 1100 wins over a 14-year managerial career, and is the winningest foreign-born manager in baseball history. Prior to joining the Giants in 2007, Bochy logged a 24-year affiliation with the San Diego Padres and was named the National League Manager of the Year in 1996 with the Friars. The Giants manager was also a guest and featured speaker at the Grizzlies 2007 Hot Stove.
Clovis High School and Fresno State University product Mark Gardner will spend his 7th season as a member of the San Francisco Giants coaching staff in 2009. Gardner's 13-year Major League career culminated in a 6-year stay in San Francisco as one of the club's most popular players, and he was voted by teammates and staff as the 2001 "Willie Mac" Award winner, given to the most inspirational player on the team.
The 48th Annual Hot Stove Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, Feburary 5th, with the evening's activities slated to begin with hor'dourves at 5:30pm, at the Holiday Inn Downtown. Tickets are $60 for adults, $15 for children, and $550 to reserve a table of ten. For ticket information, please call Danielle Witt at 559.320.2547.
An awards presentation will highlight the Hot Stove banquet as honors will be presented to baseball and softball standouts from across the Valley. Categories will include Male and Female Player of the Year, Team of the Year, and Coach of the Year. The Al Radka Award, celebrating an individual that has made a contribution to the community through the game of baseball, will be presented for the 7th time at this year's Hot Stove. Radka started the Fresno Hot Stove over 50 years ago and the award was created as a testament to his vision.
A silent and live auction will also be a part of the festivities benefiting the Fresno Grizzlies Community Fund. All proceeds of the event will go towards the Grizzlies' non-profit organization, which was created to assist, reward and support the community. The Grizzlies Community Fund supports hundreds of charity and non-profit groups and has created several of its own community programs including Wild About Reading, Swing for Kids, and most recently, the Junior Grizzlies- a non-competitive baseball league for children with mental and physical disabilities.
Pacific Coast League Stories from January 8, 2009
- Grizzlies Release Final Episode Of I Hate The Offseason - Fresno Grizzlies
- Beavers, Timbers Further Efforts to Impact Community - Portland Beavers
- Pascucci Tops Lists of Dodgers Free Agent Signees - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Former 'Birds back in Memphis for Cardinals Caravan - Memphis Redbirds
- Bochy, Gardner To Highlight 2009 Hot Stove Banquet - Fresno Grizzlies
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