Former Pirates Lefty Jim Rooker to Appear at BCB on August 13
August 6, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa - Former Pittsburgh Pirates' pitcher and broadcaster Jim Rooker will sign copies of his baseball-themed children's books for the fans at Blair County Ballpark on Friday, August 13 during the Altoona Curve's 7:00 p.m. game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Rooker's eight grandchildren served as the inspiration for the books, which tell heart-warming stories of baseball and friendship from the point of view of three characters -- "Paul The Baseball," "Matt the Bat" and "Kitt The Mitt."
"Baseball has been my passion since the time I started playing the game as a child and it remains that way today, 60 some years later," said Rooker, who describes the books as an easy read and very parent and grandparent friendly. "I hope the words contained in these books will encourage youngsters everywhere to love the game of baseball as I did, and I really think everyone will enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them."
Rooker was a 15-game winner for Pittsburgh in both 1974 and 1976, and he was also a member of the Pirates' 1979 World Championship team. It was his outstanding performance against the Baltimore Orioles in Game Five of the 1979 Fall Classic -- with his team facing elimination -- that turned that series around in the Pittsburgh's favor. After his playing career ended, Rooker worked as a color commentator on the Pirates' radio and television broadcasts from 1981 through 1993, and he later spent four years with ESPN in the same capacity. Rooker now resides in Jacksonville, FL, but he makes frequent trips back to the Pittsburgh area where he still owns a restaurant and bar called "Rook's East Side Saloon" in Ambridge, PA.
Rooker will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Curve-Fisher Cats contest on August 13, and then sign copies of his books from the second inning through the end of the game. In addition, all fans that purchase a copy of one of his books that night will be entered into a drawing to win "Breakfast with Rook" at Panera Bread the following morning.
More information about Rooker's children's book series is available at www.booksbyrook.com. Members of the media who would like to schedule interviews with him prior to his appearance in Altoona on August 13 should contact Jim Lachimia at (412) 708-9301 or jlatch@zoominternet.net.
Great seats for Rooker's appearance at Blair County Ballpark and the rest of the team's six-game homesteand which begins on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. against the Trenton Thunder (AA - New York Yankees) are still available and can be obtained by calling 877-99-CURVE, online at AltoonaCurve.com or in person at the BCB ticket windows.
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