Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg Entertains at Hot Stove

Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and former Citadel ace Asher Wojciechowski, a pitcher in the Houston Astros organization, entertained a near capacity crowd of more than 450 guests at the Charleston RiverDogs' 12th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Auction presented by Tom McQueeney State Farm on Friday night, January 22, at the Charleston Marriott.

Sandberg and "Wojo" signed autographs for every fan and posed for pictures as they entered The Crystal Ballroom.

Mike Veeck, the Charleston RiverDogs' president emeritus, served as the evening's master of ceremonies.

In his remarks, Sandberg, one of the most beloved players in Chicago Cubs history, reflected on his playing at historic Wrigley Field.

"Wrigley Field is a historic monument and to me, the greatest place to play in the world," he said. "I started out my rookie year going 0-39. I think I struggled early in my career because I always pictured the major leagues as they were on TV. The third major league game I ever saw in person was one that I played in."

Sandberg was in the lineup when the Cubs played their first night game at Wrigley Field on August 8, 1988 (8-8-88) against the New York Mets.

"The first pitch everyone took a picture," he recalled. "The second, (our pitcher) Rick Sutcliffe was so blinded he couldn't even see straight. The third pitch sailed over the left field bleachers and everyone said 'these lights are a terrible idea.'"

Of note, Charleston RiverDogs' Director of Fun Bill Murray, who introduced his friend Sandberg at the event, was in attendance at that game.

When asked about the most underrated Chicago teammate, Sandberg quickly said, "Gary Matthews was probably the most underrated teammate I ever played with. He came over in the spring of '84 and made an immediate impact. Every day he would come in and tell us how we were going to beat up on the opposing pitcher and that confidence had an impact on us young guys. He was one of my most favorite players to play with. He ran through the wall and helped me take my game to the next level."

As one of the most beloved Cubs of all time, Sandberg was asked about "Mr. Cub," Ernie Banks, who passed away in 2015.

"Ernie Banks was one of the few players I knew who wanted to play two games every day," he recalled. "I would, too, if I knew I would get seven hits!"

Sandberg, who became the second Hall of Famer to return to manage in the big leagues (Frank Robinson was the first), spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies having served several years leading a minor league team. He reflected on his time in the minors by saying, "I was always brought up to listen to the elders around you and I never forgot it. I went to the minor leagues twice, once as a player and the other to manage. It's about hard work. It's about dedication and it's about doing things the right way every day.

"Minor League baseball is the heart of the game and I really see the major leagues taking notice of that today," he added.

As a player, the native of Spokane, Wash. who was a high school quarterback who declined several college football scholarships, was drafted by the Phillies in 1978 and made his debut with them in 1981. Traded to the Cubs prior to the 1982 season, Sandberg became a 10-time All-Star selection, a nine-time Gold Glove Award recipient, a seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner who led the National League in home runs (with 40 in 1990) and was also the 1990 Home Run Derby champion. 

For his career, he recorded an average of .285 with 2,386 hits, 282 home runs and 1,061 runs batted in. After he was enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame in 2005, the Cubs retired his jersey No. 23.

Named the Southern Conference's pitcher of the year in 2010, Wojo helped lead Bulldogs to the league regular-season and tournament championships as The Citadel advanced to the Columbia Regionals hosted by the University of South Carolina.

That year, Wojciechowski struck out 155 batters over 125.2 innings and averaged 11.1 punch outs per 9 innings. For his three-year career, he won 20 games and struck out 308 batters.

This past season, Wojo made five appearances for the Astros and started three. He spent much of his time at Triple-A Fresno, and remains on the club's 40-man roster.

Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance served as the presenting sponsor for the eighth consecutive year, and proceeds benefit The Citadel, College of Charleston and Charleston Southern baseball programs in which the coaches of those teams - Fred Jordan, Matt Heath and Stuart Lake, respectively - briefly addressed the audience. Proceeds also benefitted the Singleton Memorial Fund.

The Singleton Memorial Fund is in memory of CSU baseball player Chris Singleton's mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, who was one of the nine individuals killed on June 17, 2015 at the Mother Emanuel AME Church.

 

--RIVERDOGS--

 

Hot Stove Speakers

2016 - Ryne Sandberg

2015 - Goose Gossage

2014 - Phil Niekro & Javy Lopez

2013 - Wade Boggs

2012 - John Smoltz

2011 - Bobby Cox

2010 - Dale Murphy

2009 - Gaylord Perry

2008 - Jeff Francoeur

2007 - Tommy John

2006 - Jim Bouton

2005 - Bobby Richardson & John Blanchard