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Dukes Honor Special Guest

August 14, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Duluth-Superior Dukes News Release


(Duluth, MN) The Duluth-Superior Dukes announced today that a special guest will throw out the first pitch before Friday night's game against the Sioux City Explorers. Bernie Gerl, one of three living survivors of the horrific bus crash in 1948, will be the guest of honor, along with his family, for the evening.

The 1948 crash killed 4 Dukes players and injured nearly the entire team, including Gerl, who did not play the rest of the season. Before the accident, he led Northern League catchers in fielding, earning a spot on the All-Star team.

Gerl, a resident of Joliet, Ill., threw-out the first pitch of the season for the Joliet JackHammers home game against the Dukes in May. He boasts playing against future Hall of Famers, such as, Hank Aaron, Roger Maris and Don Larson.

After missing the rest of the 1948 season, Gerl briefly retired from baseball, before re-joining the Dukes for the 1952 and 1953 seasons. Concluding his baseball career, he went on to become Vice President of Coca-Cola, Chicago.

Gerl, 75, will be joined by his entire family on Friday.

The Dukes return to the Twin Ports on Friday for a four-game homestand against the Sioux City Explorers.

Friday and Saturday's games begin at 7:05 pm. Sunday's game begins at 2:05 pm and Monday's first pitch is slated for 6:05 pm.

Tickets are still available by calling the Dukes box office at 727.4525.

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