December 7, 2006

NEW BERN, NC—Baseball legend Harmon Killebrew will headline the 2^nd Annual New Bern River Rats Hot Stove Dinner and Auction at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center on Tuesday, January 23, 2007.  Hall-of-Famer Killebrew’s accomplishments include 573 career home runs, 11 All-Star selections, six home run titles, and the 1969 American League Most Valuable Player Award. 

The event will be held at the Tuesday, January 23 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.  Tickets for the event are $35 for adults and $20 for children (ages 12 and under).  Tickets can be purchased by phone at (252) 675-5689 or in person at New Bern Tours located at 333 Middle Street in historic downtown New Bern.

The Hot Stove Dinner and Auction will feature presentations by Killebrew and former River Rats pitcher Andrew Cruse, an autograph session, a sports memorabilia auction, and dinner for all in attendance.  Cruse, a former University of South Carolina star now playing in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, will speak about the transition from the Coastal Plain League to the minor leagues.

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).

For more information about the event, call (252) 675-5689.

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.  In 2007, the team will play its third season 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 North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL is certified by Major League Baseball, and gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.