PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

OKC Dodgers and Hertz to Honor Jim Gentile Friday

Published on August 5, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - Hertz and the Oklahoma City Dodgers are pleased to partner in honoring three-time American League All-Star Jim Gentile during the OKC Dodgers' home game Friday, Aug. 7 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Gentile is slated to throw out the first pitch and will also be recognized on the field following the end of the third inning. Friday's game against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox starts at 7:05 p.m., and fireworks will follow the game.

(Bathletes in Oklahoma City and surrounding communities, as well as serving to honor the city's rich baseball history.

"We're glad Hertz has given us this opportunity to recognize Jim Gentile and his impressive Major League career," OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. "We thank him for his contributions to the community and to the game of baseball."

As part of Friday's recognition, Gentile will receive an award from Hertz and the OKC Dodgers. He is scheduled to sign autographs on the concourse following the on-field presentation.

Gentile, 81, was a three-time American League All-Star during his nine year Major League career. Gentile signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1952 and eventually played for the Baltimore Orioles where he had All-Star seasons from 1960-62.

He had a standout 1961 season, during which he led the league in RBI and hit 46 home runs, including a record five grand slams - an American League record that stood until 1987. In a May 9, 1961 game in Minnesota against the Twins, Gentile became the first player to hit grand slams in two consecutive at-bats (first and second innings).

Gentile was born in San Francisco, Calif., and his baseball career included a season in Oklahoma. He played 30 games during the 1966 season for the Oklahoma City 89ers, who were then affiliated with the Houston Astros. He has been a member of the Oklahoma City-area community for more than 35 years and currently resides in Edmond.

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