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Biddle Joins Group for Upcoming Winter Tour

2011 BlueClaws LHP, new manager Morandini, Phillies manager Manuel among guests at January 25th event
January 12, 2012
LAKEWOOD, NJ - 2011 BlueClaws pitcher Jesse Biddle is the latest to be added to the roster of guests at the Phillies Winter Tour stop in Lakewood on January 25th.

He joins new BlueClaws manager and former Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, general manager Ruben Amaro, and assistant director of minor league operations Steve Noworyta at the annual banquet held this year at Woodlake Country Club.

All proceeds from the event, which includes a sit-down dinner, dessert, and coffee, will benefit BlueClaws Charities. The doors open at 6 pm with dinner being served at 7 pm.

Tickets are just $40 and space is limited. To reserve a spot, please call 732-901-7000 ext 172 or email [email protected].

Biddle, a first round pick of the Phillies from 2010, is a Philadelphia native who went 7-8 with a 2.98 ERA with Lakewood this year. He was named the South Atlantic League All-Star left-handed pitcher in 2011.

Baseball America ranked Biddle as the #2 prospect in the organization entering 2012 in their annual prospect rankings released in November.

Morandini was named the 10th manager in BlueClaws history on November 21st. He spent 2011 as the manager of short-season Williamsport, leading the Crosscutters to a 43-33 record.

Morandini hit .268 over 11 big league seasons, nine of them with Philadelphia. He was the starting second baseman on the club that advanced to the 1993 World Series and was an All-Star in 1995.

Manuel will enter his 8th season as Phillies manager in 2012, having led the team to the post-season in each of the last five years. Under Manuel, the Phillies made consecutive World Series in 2008 and 2009, bringing home the franchise's second championship in 2008.

The North Fork, WV native formerly managed the Indians (2000-2002) before joining the Phillies. He became the Phillies' all-time winningest manager, surpassing Gene Mauch on the last day of the 2011 regular season.

Amaro, who served as Phillies assistant general manager for 10 seasons, was promoted to general manager at the conclusion of the 2008 season. In recent years, he has overseen the acquisitions of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence, among others.

Noworyta has been with the Phillies since 1996 after 16 years in the White Sox organization as a player and executive.

BlueClaws Charities is the official non-profit foundation of the Lakewood BlueClaws. BlueClaws Charities is a 501c3 organization that has donated over $300,000 to area non-profit organizations and fundraising events in the last three years.

- BlueClaws Charities -