Bobby Scales to Speak at Winter Banquet
Scales was drafted in the 14th round of the 1999 amateur draft by the San Diego Padres out of the University of Michigan. He played 81 games in the Midwest League for Fort Wayne in 2000. Scales bounced around between several teams before signing with the Cubs organization in 2008. He played 399 games with the Iowa Cubs in parts of four seasons. His best season in the minors came in 2008 when he hit .320 with 15 HR and 59 RBI.
Scales made his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2009 at the age of 31. In his first game, he collected his first Major League hit against the reigning National League Cy Young award winner, Tim Lincecum. He would go on to play a total of 61 games for the Cubs two years. One of Scales biggest strengths was his ability to play many different positions. Although second base was his primary position during his professional career (605 games), he played at least 50 games at four other positions: right field, left field, third base, and first base.
After several brief stops in Japan, Scales retired in 2011 and on November 9, 2012 was named the Director of Player Development for the Bees Major League affiliate, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Also expected to be in attendance will be 2013 Bees Field Manager, Jamie Burke. Burke was the manager in Cedar Rapids the past two seasons and is a former Major League catcher.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $50 each or $350 for a table of eight. The festivities start with a cocktail hour and the opening of the silent auction at 6:00 p.m. A full dinner will be served buffet-style shortly after. Scales will not only address those in attendance, but leave time for a question and answer session as well. The event will also include an exciting line of autographed memorabilia and collectible items that can be purchased through auctions or won through a raffle.
A limited amount of tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling the Bees at (319) 754-5705.