Roster Changes to the I-55 Classic
Published on May 10, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â The Joliet JackHammers announce the adjusting of the lineup for the Budweiser I-55 Classic, an exhibition baseball game featuring former St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs that will be played at 7:05 pm on Saturday, July 30 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet's City Center. Lee Smith will no longer be able to take part in the action; as a result Bob Forsch will step into his roster spot. Two lucky fans will also join the team, Corey Mikula for the Cubs and John Curran for the Cardinals.
Lee Smith has to fill in as a pitching coach that weekend for a San Francisco Giants minor league team. Apparently the pitching coach's wife is due to have a baby and he will be taking a leave of absence. As a result, Smith will not be able to attend I-55 Classic.
Filling that vacated spot will be none other than Cardinal's pitching great Bob Forsch. Forsch was a 26th round draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968. He would make his big league debut at the tender age of 24 and finish the season at 7-4. In just his 4th big league season he would become a 20 game winner going 20-7. Forsch would go on to be a 10 plus game winner in 12 of his 17 seasons. Over his 16 year career, he was 168-136 with a career ERA of 3.76.
Forsch also showed he could handle the bat, as he was the National League's Silver Slugger Award Winner in 1980 and 1987 when he hit .295 and .298 respectively. During his career with the Cardinals, Bob pitched two no-hitters, one in 1978 and another in 1983. Bob was apart of the Cardinals 1982 World Championship ball club. He also started 5 games over the 6 post-season series the Cardinals would appear in during his tenure as a St. Louis starter.
For anyone wanting to learn a bit more about those great Cardinal's teams of the early 80's, well no one would know as well as Forsch, who was there for every Ozzie back-flip and every Vince Coleman stolen base. Bob decided to put his experiences to good use, and agreed to publish a book on his accounts of those glory days entitled: Bob Forsch's Tales from the Cardinals Dugout.
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The JackHammers have full season tickets, mini-plan ticket packages and group ticket packages available for purchase. There is a ticket discount for groups of 20 or more. Additional group ticket options include pre-game picnics, the DesRochers Backyard Pool Party Deck (hot tub), Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers Rooftop, luxury suites, Dairy Queen Birthday Bash, Fun-raising, and Dream Team. For additional information, visit the team's website or the Silver Cross Field ticket office. The JackHammers can also be contacted at 815-726-BALL (2255) or at info@jackhammerbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from May 10, 2005
- Saints-Goldeyes rained out - St. Paul Saints
- Roster Changes to the I-55 Classic - Joliet JackHammers
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