Brett Gardner to Join Goose Gossage at Hot Stove Banquet

Brett Gardner to Join Goose Gossage at Hot Stove Banquet

CHARLESTON, SC - Native South Carolinian, former College of Charleston standout and current New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will join Rich "Goose" Gossage at the Charleston RiverDogs 11th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Auction on January 30 in the Charleston Marriott Crystal Ballroom.

The Hot Stove Banquet is an annual event hosted by the Charleston RiverDogs that brings all baseball fans together to celebrate the magic of America's Favorite Pastime. Gardner will join Gossage, a member of Baseball's Hall of Fame, as they will pose for pictures and sign autographs for those in attendance.

Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance is the presenting sponsor for the eighth consecutive year. Proceeds from the Hot Stove Banquet benefit The Citadel, College of Charleston and Charleston Southern baseball programs and the MUSC's Storm Eye Institute, which is the RiverDogs' primary charity.

The reception begins at 6 pm with the dinner starting at 7 o'clock. Tickets are $65 per person and include dinner, a table gift and autograph or photo opportunity. Tables of eight with preferred seating are available for $550.

A native of Holly Hill, Gardner in 2003 attended walk-on tryouts for the baseball team at the College of Charleston and became a three-year starter for the Cougars. In 2004, he was chosen to the All-Southern Conference team, and in 2005, his .447 batting average was third-best in the nation and his 122 hits tied for most in the country. He concluded his collegiate career as a third-team All-American and a two-time All-SoCon player.

On June 30, 2008, Gardner made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees and has remained with the Bronx Bombers. He was part of the 2009 World Series Championship team, and was the American League's co-leader in stolen bases while leading the league in triples two years later. On September 21, 2008, Gardner scored the final run in (old) Yankee Stadium history as a pinch- runner for Jason Giambi, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Robinson Canó in the seventh inning of an eventual 7-3 win for the Yankees over the Baltimore Orioles.

Gardner is considered one of the fastest players in the game, and is best known for stealing bases and being disciplined at the plate. He makes contact with 93% of his swings, third best in the American League, and in 2010, Gardner saw more pitches per at-bat than any other player in the American League.

During the off-season, he lives with his family in Summerville.

For tickets and additional information, please contact the RiverDogs at (843) 577-DOGS (3647).

Tickets may also be purchased online at riverdogs.com or rileyparkevents.com.

 

 

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Previous Hot Stove Speakers

2013 - Phil Niekro & Javy Lopez

2012 - Wade Boggs

2011 - John Smoltz

2010 - Bobby Cox

2009 - Dale Murphy

2008 - Gaylord Perry

2007 - Jeff Francoeur

2006 - Tommy John

2005 - Jim Bouton

2004 - Bobby Richardson & John Blanchard