AA Sioux Falls Canaries

Mel Antonen To Headline All-Star Banquet

July 11, 2007 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD (July 11, 2007) - The Sioux Falls Canaries announced today that longtime USA Today baseball columnist, and Lake Norden, South Dakota native, Mel Antonen will headline the 2007 American Association All-Star Banquet at Carnaval Brazilian Grille in Sioux Falls. Antonen replaces Pat O'Brien as the event's feature speaker. O'Brien was forced to cancel his appearance due to a change in his taping schedule.

"Pat was incredibly disappointed when he found out that his schedule was changed preventing him from coming home to South Dakota for the American Association All-Star Game," said Canaries President John Kuhn. "Despite not being able to have Pat, we are thrilled to have Mel Antonen stepping in as a last-minute replacement. Mel's deep baseball knowledge and close ties to the sport will provide for great stories and anecdotes during the All-Star Luncheon. He is more-than-qualified to step in as Pat's pinch hitter."

Mel Antonen has been a baseball writer at USA Today for 21 years. His career includes covering historic games such as Nolan Ryan's 300th career victory, the night Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak, and Mark McGwire surpassing Roger Maris as the single-season home run king. The 1978 graduate of Augustana College worked at the Argus Leader for 11 years before going to USA Today.

The All-Star Luncheon will take place at Carnaval Brazilian Grille on Tuesday from noon until 2 p.m. Tickets for the event cost $50. The event will include a Carnaval style lunch with an array of salad with pineapple-mango vinaigrette dressing, side dishes of black bean stew with white rice and coconut fried bananas, and two kinds of beef selected from pork wrapped bacon, cinnamon chicken, and house made sausages.

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