Austin Senators to Receive Rings 50 Years Later

ROUND ROCK - Though they've since scattered as far east as Pennsylvania and as far west as California, the remaining members of Austin's first playoff-formatted championship baseball team will reconvene in Central Texas next weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their milestone achievement.

Eleven members of the 1959 Austin Senators - a team which downed San Antonio 5-4 on Sept. 18, 1959 to win the Texas League Championship before moving on to capture the Pan American Association title four days later - will gather Saturday, July 18 at The Dell Diamond for an evening of recognition.

The first 3,000 fans Saturday will be treated to throwback Austin Senators caps presented by AT&T and Round Rock Express players will don Senators replica uniforms before the 11 former teammates throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch. In the top of the seventh inning, all eleven will be awarded 1959 Texas League Championship rings - rings which they never received.

"The Austin Senators were a staple of Central Texas dating back to the late 1800s, so there's a lot of history here," said Express Founder and CEO Reid Ryan. "To win a championship for the town, that's something that should have been recognized long ago."

The rings - complete with Austin's original navy and red colors and the team's signature 'A' - will be handed out during a special in-game ceremony. The rings were paid for by current Round Rock players, who donated money collected from their home runs at The Dell Diamond.

In addition, fans to Friday's (July 17) game against Oklahoma City will receive a 1959 Austin Senators team photo courtesy of Academy Sports+Outdoors. The reunited Senators will be available Saturday from 7:05 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. for autographs along the first base side.

The weekend-long tribute will close out Sunday with Senators t-shirts presented by Rocksports for all kids 12 & under.

AUSTIN SENATORS TRIBUTE (July 17-July 19)
Friday, July 17
* The Round Rock Express team will wear replica Austin Senators jerseys.
*The first 10,000 fans will receive a 1959 Austin Senators team photo courtesy of Academy Sports+Outdoors.

Saturday, July 18
* The Round Rock Express team will wear replica Austin Senators jerseys.
* The first 3,000 fans will receive Austin Senators Throwback Caps presented by AT&T.
* The following players from the '59 Championship Team will be at The Dell Diamond to sign autographs, throw out a first pitch and be honored during an in-game ceremony: Howie Bedell, Jim Callaway, Ernie Christoff, Bobby Cleboski, Charlie Gorin, Bob Hendley, Rick Herrscher, Bobby Knoop, Bill Thompson, Pepper Thomas and Bob Warner.
* Post-game fireworks presented by Super Series Summer Nationals

Sunday, July 19
* The Round Rock Express team will wear replica Austin Senators jerseys.
* Austin Senators Kids T-shirts (all youngsters 12 & under) presented by Rocksports.