RIVER RATS NEWS RELEASE
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KILLEBREW, CRUSE SHINE AT HOT STOVE |
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NEW BERN, NC—Nearly 400 fans of all ages packed the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center on Tuesday night for the River Rats' 2nd Annual Hot Stove Dinner & Auction. Hall-of-Famer Harmon Killebrew and former Rats star Andrew Cruse entertained the crowd with stories about their baseball careers and their insights into family, community, and dedication.
The night's festivities included a buffet dinner, sports memorabilia auction, and photo and augtograph session. River Rats fans were also treated to free baseball card packs from Tom "the Baseball Card Guy" Covitz, who became a staple at River Rats games this season.
Team owner Sabrina Bengel thanked the community for embracing the team during its first two years, noting that none of the team's success would be possible without its host families, sponsors, and season ticket holders.
General Manager Michael Weisbart outlined some of the team's accomplishments over the past twelve months, highlighting the team's record attendance in 2006. Also noteworthy, he said, were the appearances by Steve Garvey, Hall-of-Famers Ferguson Jenkins and Killebrew, and former star Brian McRae, as well as the team's first fireworks show and first radio broadcasts.
"Once again, New Bern and the surrounding area have proven to our organization the support we have in the community," Weisbart said. "This is a terrific start to our 2007 season. We can't wait until opening day on May 30th."
About the featured speakers:
Killebrew broke into the major leagues with the Washington Senators in 1954 as the American League’s youngest player (18). Over the course of the next 22 seasons with the Senators, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals, he established himself as one of the most prolific sluggers in baseball history. His accomplishments include 573 career home runs—eighth all-time—and 11 selections as an American League All-Star. “Killer,” as he was affectionately known, was also named the 1969 American League MVP and finished in the top five in MVP voting in five other seasons. In 1971, Killebrew was honored with the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the character of Lou Gehrig on and off the field. In 1984, Killebrew was elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame with 83% of the vote.
Cruse was a member of the 2005 River Rats, compiling a 2-3 record and 2.25 ERA in nine games (seven starts). The 6-1 right-hander played two seasons at the University of South Carolina before being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth round of the 2006 Amateur Draft. As a member of the Batavia (NY) Muckdogs in the New York-Penn League (Class A-Short Season) this past summer, Cruse was 4-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 13 games (all starts).
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About the River Rats: The New Bern River Rats baseball club is a member of the Coastal Plain League, a high-profile wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league. The team will open the 2007 season on Wednesday, May 30 against the Wilmington Sharks at New Bern High School’s Boykin Field. The team’s official website is www.NewBernRiverRats.com. About the Coastal Plain League: The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 10th anniversary season, the CPL is the largest summer league in the country, featuring 15 teams playing in |
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