John Kruk headlines Thursday's event to benefit United Way
Published on September 9, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release
Reading, PA - Former Major Leaguers John Kruk, Garry Maddox, Greg Gross, Ricky Bottalico and Eric Valent will be at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, September 11 to serve as guest coaches/players during Fantasy Day. Individuals participating in the special event will live the life of a professional ballplayer for the day and are making a significant commitment to the community as proceeds will benefit United Way of Berks County. White Star Travel Center is the event's presenting sponsor.
Fantasy Players will go through a typical ballplayers' day from team meetings, to batting practice, through the game to the post-game party. Along the way they'll be sure to enjoy the camaraderie with their teammates and the many stories they'll hear from the guest former Major Leaguers. The day will leave the players with memories that'll last a lifetime, while also helping United Way.
In addition to the time spent with the guest Major League alumni, the experience for fantasy players includes: a personalized R-Phils uniform and other gear, team photo, personalized baseball cards, catered meals, batting and infield practice, All-Star style introduction prior to the national anthem, photo on the video board during their at-bats during the game, a post-game party with a live band, 15 tickets on the "players pass list" for friends and a DVD.
The day begins for Fantasy Players at 11:30 AM and the Fantasy Game is set for 5:30 PM (Gates open at 4:30). The post-game party is expected to conclude around 11:00 PM.
Kruk, currently a popular analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight, played in the Majors from 1986-1995, including 1989-1994 with the Phillies. A career .300 hitter, Kruk was instrumental in the Phillies winning the 1993 National League Pennant. An All-Star in the Majors for the Phillies (1991-1993), he was a coach for the R-Phils in 2001.
Maddox played in the Majors from 1972-1986. He began his career with San Francisco but played for the Phillies from 1975 on. Known as the Secretary of Defense, Maddox was the center fielder for the 1980 World Champion Phillies and an eight-time Gold Glove winner.
Gross played in the Majors from 1973-1989, including time with the Phillies from 1979-1988. A pinch-hitter extraordinaire, Gross was an integral part of the 1980 Phillies. He had three clutch pinch-hits in the World Series. He is 4th all-time in Major League history with 143 pinch hits. Gross was the R-Phils hitting coach in 2007 and served in the same role for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies AAA) in 2008.
Bottalico played in the Majors from 1994-2005. Seven of his big league seasons were with the Phillies, including 1996 when he was an All-Star. The right-hander saved 116 games with a 3.99 ERA in the Majors. Bottalico was the color analyst for televised IronPigs home games in 2008.
Valent played in the Majors during parts of the 2001-2005 seasons intertwined with a very successful Minor League career that saw him earn R-Phils team co-MVP honors in 2000. He spent the entire 2004 season with the New York Mets and hit for the cycle that summer. He was the hitting coach for the Phillies Short-Season Class-A affiliate in Williamsport in 2008.
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