Jersey auction concludes tonight at Smokies Park

With one of the best records in the minor leagues and a playoff berth already secured, the 2010 season has become one of the more memorable ones in recent memory. What better way to take home one of the hottest keepsakes from this fantastic year than a game-worn jersey from your favorite Smokies player?

That's right...our annual Jersey Auction is back and is going very, very strong! This year's list of jerseys includes current Cubs Starlin Castro and Andrew Cashner, as well as 2010 stars Chris Archer, Tony Campana, Robinson Chirinos, Brandon Guyer, Brett Jackson...there's not enough room to list all the greats on this year's auction list (it's actually down below).

The online portion of our jersey auction ended this morning at 10:00 a.m. However, you will have one more opportunity to bid in the auction at tonight's 5:00 game here at Smokies Park! Bidding will commence on our stadium concourse shortly after the gates open at 4:00 p.m. and run through the last out of the fifth inning.

Payment must be made by the winning bidder on the 29th and can be made by cash or by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover are accepted). Fans in attendance on the 29th that make a winning bid on a jersey will be called down to the field to get a photo taken with the player whose jersey they purchased (if possible).

All jerseys auctioned off will not be able to be picked up until after the completion of the Southern League playoffs. A photo ID must be presented by the winning bidder when the jersey is picked up. For winning bids made from outside the region, shipping and handling charges ($8.50) will be added for mailings made inside the U.S. (international shipping rates will vary).

About the jerseys:

These jerseys are the home white jerseys worn on the field during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. On the front, they have the "SMOKIES" word logo on the front chest in navy, outlined by grey and red tackle twill. The numbers are navy on red tackle twill on the lower right chest.

On the back of the jersey, the numbers are navy on red tackle twill. The player's name is sewn on the back in navy letters. The jerseys also include a navy inset under each shoulder and red piping across the front of the shoulders. A Cubs patch is on one sleeve and a Smokies patch is on the other.

Jerseys will be autographed (unless otherwise noted) by the respective player and come with a letter of authenticity signed by the player, general manager and clubhouse manager. Jerseys we'll be auctioning off include the following players & coaches:

#3 - Tony Thomas, 2B

#5 - Bill Dancy, Manager

#6 - Marwin Gonzalez, SS

#7 - Nate Samson, SS

#9 - Brandon Guyer, OF

#10 - Tom Beyers, Hitting Coach

#11 - Craig Muschko, SP

#12 - Austin Bibens-Dirkx, SP (no autograph)

#13 - Starlin Castro, SS (autographed)

#16 - Chris Archer, SP

#17 - David Macias, UTL

#19 - Aaron Shafer, RP

#20 - Chris Rusin, SP

#21 - Marco Carrillo, RP

#22 - Luke Sommer, RP

#24 - Tony Campana, OF

#25 - Kyle Smit, RP

#26 - Blake Parker, RP

#27 - Brett Jackson, OF

#28 - Robinson Chirinos, C (no autograph)

#29 - Mario Mercedes, C

#31 - Jeremy Papelbon, RP

#32 - Blake Lalli, 1B

#33 - Tyrelle Harris, RP

#34 - Andrew Cashner, SP (autographed)

#35 - Rafael Dolis, SP

#36 - Ryan Buchter, RP

#37 - Russ Canzler, 3B

#38 - Steve Clevenger, C

#39 - Matt Spencer, 1B

#40 - Dennis Lewallyn, Pitching Coach