Parrett, Taylor special guests at caravan
(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) Former major leaguer Jeff Parrett and longtime Legends pitching coach Charley Taylor will be special guests as the Lexington Legends wrap up their pre-season caravan with an event at Whitaker Bank Ballpark Wednesday, February 26 from 5-7 p.m.
The caravan gives the Legends an opportunity to express thanks to fans and media around the region, and to promote the 2014 season.
The Lexington stop is the 10th in the series for 2014. The Legends have previously visited Cynthiana, Richmond, Somerset, Jackson, Danville, Campbellsville, Columbia, Frankfort and Mt. Sterling. Radio broadcasts have been a part of each stop. Wednesday night, the Sports Huddle program on the radio home of Legends baseball, ESPN Sports Radio 1300 WLXG, will be broadcast live from the Kentucky Ale Taproom at the ballpark. Fans are invited to stop by, meet Parrett and Taylor, and sign up for an opportunity to win tickets to the Legends' opening night game Thursday, April 3. Some Legends items also will be given away, and light refreshments will be available. The Legends' Big L will also be on hand.
Parrett was a pitching star at Lafayette High School and the University of Kentucky before going on to a 10-year career in the major leagues. A ninth round draft choice of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1983, he compiled a 56-43 record in the majors, including a 12-4 mark and a 2.65 earned run average with Montreal in 1988. He was 9-1 with a 3.02 ERA with Oakland in 1992. Parrett also coached Woodford County High School to a state baseball championship in 2012.
Taylor, who served as a coach in professional baseball for 31 years, was the Legends pitching coach from 2001-2009. He is now retired from baseball and living in Northern Kentucky. As a player, Taylor pitched at Eastern Kentucky University before being drafted in the 24th round in 1969 by the Houston Astros. He reached the triple-A level with Denver in 1974. After retiring as a player following the 1975 season, Taylor worked in the front office for the Cincinnati Reds for five years and occasionally served as a batting practice pitcher for the Reds before beginning his long coaching career in the Houston organization. He was elected to the Legends Hall of Fame in 2005.
"This should be a fun event that will put the finishing touches on our 2014 caravan," said Legends President/COO Andy Shea. "We're excited about having Jeff Parrett and Charley Taylor with us. Jeff has been great for baseball in our area at every level, and I know our fans will be glad to welcome Charley back to Lexington."
In the April 3 opener, the Legends, an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, will take on the West Virginia Power, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. For more information, call 859 422-7867 or visit www.lexingtonlegends.com.
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The Lexington Legends were named South Atlantic League Community Organization of the Year for 2013.