Squirrels' Opening Day Featuring Javy López

RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A Affiliate of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, are excited to announce former Richmond and Atlanta Braves star Javy Lopez will be appearing at The Diamond as part of the fun-filled festivities on Opening Night, April 4^th. The three-time MLB All-Star is scheduled to be available for an exclusive meet and greet event in the PFG Picnic Zone from 5:30-6:00pm and will host an open autograph session on the main concourse from 6:45-8:30pm. The return of Lopez to the Diamond will mark the 20^th Anniversary of the Richmond Braves "Great Eight" Championship team that featured Lopez as well as Chipper Jones, Ryan Klesko and Jose Oliva.

"We couldn't be more excited about Opening Night and Javy making his return to the Diamond adds a whole new element to the funn," said Flying Squirrels Vice President and COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "Lopez was a star player in his day and we think it is important to celebrate all Richmond's baseball history, especially on the 20th anniversary of the Great Eight team."

Tickets for the exclusive meet and greet session are $28 and include a two-hour all-you-can-eat buffet and a reserved Diamond Club seat down the third base line. Fans interested in this unique and limited experience may contact Chris Walker at (804) 359-3866 ext. 319 or [email protected]. Gates for Opening Night at the Diamond open at 4;30pm. The Flying Squirrels first Fireworks Extravaganza will take place following the game.

Javy Lopez played parts of 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 12 with the Atlanta Braves. Lopez made his mark in Richmond with the1993 Braves as a member of the renowned "Great Eight" Championship team. He hit .306 with 23 doubles and 17 homeruns in his only season playing at the Diamond. The Puerto Rican native hit 260 career homeruns and still owns the single-season homerun record for catchers with 43 in 2003. Lopez was also a member of the 1995 Braves World Series Championship team and finished his career with Baltimore and Boston. He retired after the 2006 season at the age of 35.

Single-game tickets for the 2013 season of Flying Squirrels baseball are currently on sale by contacting the box office at (804) 359-FUNN (3866) or on-line at SquirrelsBaseball.com. Season-Ticket and Mini-Plan packages are currently available and can be purchased by calling the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-FUNN (3866), logging on to SquirrelsBaseball.com or visiting the Squirrels Ticket Office at The Diamond.