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Bowa Added to Phillies Winter Banquet

Other guests include Amaro, Sandberg, and Wathan
January 5, 2012

Baseballtown legend and Philadelphia Phillies great Larry Bowa has been added to the list of guests for the 2012 Phillies Banquet on Tuesday, January 24th at The Reading Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Reading Baseball Hall of Fame member will also be signing autographs following the night’s festivities.

Bowa joins Baseball Hall of Famer and Reading Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, Philadelphia Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. , play-by-by announcer Tom McCarthy, Reading Phillies manager Dusty Wathan, and Assistant Director of Minor League Operations Steve Noworyta, who were previously announced for the event.

The banquet starts with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature prizes, auction items, highlight videos, dinner and more. As in past years, the 2012 King of Baseballtown will be honored.

Tickets for the banquet are $65 each or $600 for a 10-person table, and can currently be purchased in-person at the R-Phils Ticket Office, or by phone at 610-370-BALL. Proceeds from event benefit Reading Phillies Baseballtown Charities, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping children who don’t have the resources to play baseball.

Currently a studio analyst on the MLB Network, Bowa debuted with the Reading Phillies in 1967, playing 22 games with the team. He then returned during the 1968 season and appeared in 133 games with the R-Phils prior to making his major league debut with Philadelphia in 1970.

During his 16-year major league career, Bowa was a five-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove winner, and led the National League in fielding percentage six times. He was a member of the 1980 Phillies World Series championship team, where he hit .375 in the World Series and .316 during the National League Championship Series. Along with fellow dais member Sandberg, Bowa was traded to the Chicago Cubs before the 1982 season in exchange for shortstop Ivan DeJesus. He retired following a stint with the New York Mets in 1985.

After his playing career, Bowa went on to coach and manage in the majors. He managed Philadelphia from 2001-2004, and was named the NL Manager of the Year in 2001, after leading the Phils to 2nd place finish that season.

The Reading Phillies trademarked the name Baseballtown in 2002 and began programs in its name with goals to honor Reading's rich baseball history and secure its baseball future by giving more kids the opportunity to play and learn from the game's life lessons.

The Reading Phillies will kick off the 2012 season with a doubleheader on Thursday, April 5th at FirstEnergy Stadium against the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). 2012 Season Tickets and Mini-Plans, as well as the brand-new 6 for $66 plan are available by phone at 610-370-BALL, online at www.readingphillies.com, or in-person at the R-Phils Ticket Office located at FirstEnergy Stadium. Purchase your 2012 R-Phils Season Ticket or Mini-Plan now and get as many tickets as you want for all Baseballtown All-Star Classic events before they go on-sale to the general public.