Chiefs Begin Second Half With Action-Packed Weekend Series
Published on June 17, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
PEORIA, IL- With the Midwest League All-Star Break underway, the Peoria Chiefs are preparing for a promotion-filled four-game weekend series with the Beloit Snappers at O'Brien Field starting Thursday June 19 at 7:00 pm. The second half of the season begins with all 14 MWL teams even with 0-0 records after a rain-filled first half. The Chiefs start the final push to a playoff spot against the Minnesota Twins affiliate with two post-game concerts, a 1908 Cubs jersey auction, fireworks, Bark in the Park and a t-shirt giveaway at O'Brien Field. The series begins on Thursday at 7:00 with a post-game concert performed by Too White Crew, presented by Miller Beer/Baumgarten Distributing. Too White Crew is an all-live hip-hop tribute band from Chicago, and they will be the third Thursday night post-game concert this season. On Friday night at 6:30 pm, Chiefs players will be wearing 1908 Cubs replica jerseys, and the Chiefs together with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois will be presenting a jersey auction for fans during and following the game. The proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation. A silent auction will take place on the concourse during the game for those interested in players' jerseys, and a live auction will take place on the field for the jersey of Ryne Sandberg. The first 1,500 fans to O'Brien Field on Friday will receive free Joe Girardi caricature t-shirts courtesy of Hardee's. Girardi, a native of East Peoria, began his professional career with the Chiefs in 1986. He won three World Series championships with the New York Yankees, was an All Star with the Cubs, and is the current manager of the Yankees. Also on Friday after the game, CEFCU will be presenting another spectacular post-game fireworks show and there will be a Pitch-In for Charity, sponsored by Aquatech Pool and Spas and Little Caesar's Pizza. Tennis balls can be purchased for $1 during the game for the chance to win prizes from Central Illinois restaurants and businesses. All proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Saturday June 21 is the Chiefs Annual Faith and Family Night, presented by Berean Bookstores and 91.5 WCIC. The event will be highlighted by a post-game concert by Christian rock band Rush of Fools, known for their #1 single "Undo." The homestand finishes up on Sunday with the fourth annual "Bark in the Park," a day to bring your dog to the ballpark. Tickets for fans are regularly priced, and a ticket for your dog to get into the park will be $2. All dogs must remain in designated areas, the left field and the third base berms. Sundays at O'Brien Field are also Taco Bell Family Days. Pick up a voucher at participating Central Illinois Taco Bell restaurants, and upon redeeming it at the box office you will receive four club box tickets, $20 in concession vouchers, a disposable camera, and a picture frame all for just $48. Following the game, kids 14 and under will have the chance to run the bases, and Chiefs players will be signing autographs on the concourse for all fans. The Chiefs finished the first half 30-38 overall but played eight games over .500 from May 20-June 15. After a seven-game losing streak, the Chiefs went 16-8 over their final 24 games, including an 11-3 record in their last 14 home games. The 30-38 mark, leaves the Chiefs just one win shy of the 31-38 first half mark in 2007. Last year, the Chiefs followed their first half with a 40-30 mark in the second half, which tied them for first place but left them out of the playoffs on a tiebreaker. Manager Ryne Sandberg has his squad poised for a similar second half run this season as the offense is hitting .302 in 14 June games and averaging nearly five runs per game in that span. RH Dae-Eun Rhee (3-1, 1.38) will start for the Chiefs on Thursday against Beloit. Rhee has not allowed an earned run over nine innings in his three starts since returning from the disabled list.
Midwest League Stories from June 17, 2008
- West squad prevails - Great Lakes Loons
- West wins All-Star game - MWL1
- Still time to sign up for Kernels Youth Baseball Camp - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Kernels given green light from city - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Chiefs Begin Second Half With Action-Packed Weekend Series - Peoria Chiefs
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