Hot Stove Banquet to Feature John Smoltz
Hot Stove
Banquet to Feature John Smoltz
8th Annual Event
to benefit MUSC
Storm Eye Institute, The Citadel, and College of Charleston
Sponsored by Tom
McQueeney State Farm and Bennett Hospitality
CHARLESTON, SC - Last year, the annual Hot Stove Banquet that featured recently-retired Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox got so big that the site had to be changed to accommodate all those that wanted to attend.
This year, it could even be larger as the RiverDogs welcome former Atlanta Braves All-Star Pitcher John Smoltz.
Smoltz, a former World Series champion with the Braves and future Hall of Fame pitcher, will serve as the guest speaker for the 8th Annual Hot Stove Banquet. The Hot Stove Banquet is staged by the Charleston RiverDogs where their mantra of "Be Your Own Fan" not only extends to professional baseball, but to the college game as well.
The event, which will be held on Friday, January 27 at The Crystal Ballroom at the Charleston Marriott on Lockwood Blvd., is being sponsored by Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance and Bennett Hospitality.
The Hot Stove Banquet is an annual event that is coordinated by the Charleston RiverDogs to whet the appetite of Charleston area baseball fans. Proceeds benefit The Citadel and College of Charleston and the MUSC's Storm Eye Institute, the RiverDogs' primary charity.
The reception begins at 6 pm with the dinner starting at 7 o'clock. Tickets are $65 per person if you purchase before December 23rd, and will be $75 after December 23rd. All tickets for the Banquet include dinner and beverages. Tables with preferred seating for eight individuals are available for $550.
Currently a sportscaster for WTBS and TNT, Smoltz is best known for his prolific career of more than two decades with the Braves. Though predominantly a starter, Smoltz was converted to a relief pitcher in 2001, following his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and spent four season's as the team's closer before returning to a starting role. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher in history to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season (the other being Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley). Smoltz is the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves, and became the 16th member of the 3,000 career strikeout club on April 22, 2008.
During his illustrious career, Smoltz was an All-Star eight times and was a member of the 1995 World Series team. He captured the 1996 National League Cy Young Award and was the 1992 NLCS most valuable player. Smoltz was the 2002 NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year and in 2005 he received the Roberto Clemente Award and the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. Two years later, he brought home the Branch Rickey Award.
Previous speakers for the Hot Stove Banquets were former New York Yankees Bobby Richardson and John Blanchard, Jim Bouton and Tommy John, former Brave and current Kansas City Royal Jeff Francoeur, Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, the ever-popular Dale Murphy and former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox.
For tickets and additional information, please contact Melissa Azevedo at (843) 577-DOGS (3647). Tickets for the dinner may also be purchased online at www.RiverDogs.com or www.RileyParkEvents.com.
-RIVERDOGS-