Amaro and Manuel Added to Winter Banquet
Seat or table reservations are now on sale and available for purchase at IronPigsBaseball.com by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447). Interested parties are reminded that seating is limited and the Phillies Winter Banquet has sold out in years past.
Last year's event raised over $35,000 for IronPigs Charities, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area.
The main program for Phillies Winter Banquet features players and personnel from the Philadelphia Phillies and includes a dinner and open bar, a sports memorabilia silent auction, raffles and an entertainment portion with the special Phillies guests. Tickets are $80 per person or $725 for a table of ten. Championship tables, allowing patrons entrance to a private pre-event reception are also available. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and commencement of the auctions and raffles.
Amaro Jr., 47, was named Senior Vice President and General Manager on November 3, 2008 after 10 years as an assistant GM under Pat Gillick (2006-2008) and Ed Wade (1999-2005). In his four years as GM, the Phillies have three NL East division titles, one NL pennant and the best record in the National League at 373-275 (.576).
In his first year as GM, the Phillies won the National League pennant for a second straight year and following the season Amaro Jr., was honored as Executive of the Year by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association (PSWA). Under his direction in 2010, the Phillies captured their fourth straight NL East Division crown and advanced to the National League Championship Series for a third consecutive campaign.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Amaro Jr., was a batboy for the Phillies from 1980-83 when his father, Ruben Sr., was the first base coach. After being selected by the Angels in the 11th round of the 1987 draft, Amaro Jr., made his Major League debut with the club in 1991. Following that season, he was traded to the Phillies, where he spent five of his seven big league seasons.
Manuel, 68, is the winningest manager in franchise history, surpassing Gene Mauch with his 646th win on the final day of the 2011 regular season. He is also the only manager in Phillies history to lead the team to five straight division championships and one of only two managers (Bobby Cox) in NL history to accomplish the feat since divisional play began in 1969. Manuel was named as the 51st manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on Nov. 4, 2004, and guided the Phillies to just their second World Championship in franchise history during their memorable 2008 campaign.
A native of North Fork, WV, Manuel was the Cleveland Indians manager from 2000-2002 and led the Tribe to the American League Central Division title in 2001. During parts of 11 Major League seasons, Manuel's teams have gone an impressive 947-759 (.555) and posted winning records on nine occasions.
The state-of-the-art Sands Bethlehem Events Center, a spacious 50,000 square foot venue, opened earlier this year on the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem campus and has already hosted a wide array of premier musical acts, comedians and sporting events. The events center is directly located adjacent to the Sands Hotel. Winter Banquet attendees may enter at any of the Sands Boulevard entrances off 3rd Street and follow the signs directing you to the rear of the hotel.
The Phillies Winter Banquet beneficiary, IronPigs Charities, is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level. One of the annual highlights of the Winter Tour event is the distribution of grants to local non-profit organizations. In fact, over $200,000 has been distributed at this event since debuting in 2008. Since its inception in 2007, IronPigs Charities has made more than $475,000 in monetary contributions.
To renew or order season tickets, mini plans or group tickets for the 2013 IronPigs season presented by Capital BlueCross, call (610) 841-PIGS (7447) or visit Coca-Cola Park's ticket office during normal business hours.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are dedicated to providing family-friendly entertainment and are the only Minor League team to offer bubbles to fans entering the AT&T Plaza and balloons for all children exiting Coca-Cola Park.