Scioscia to speak at Hot Stove Banquet

The 11th Annual Cedar Rapids Kernels Hot Stove Banquet, featuring guest speaker Mike Scioscia, manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, will be held Jan. 18, 2007 at the Cedar Rapids Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is the parent club of the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

The annual Hot Stove tradition, which dates back to 1997, is an opportunity for fans of the game to get together and talk baseball. It also provides a great opportunity to meet former Major League stars like those who have appeared at recent Kernels banquets, including Lee Smith and Tug McGraw, as well as this year's speaker, Mike Scioscia.

Scioscia will start his eighth season as manager of the Angels in 2007. He has led the club to postseason play in three of the past five seasons, including the World Series Championship in 2002. He was named MLB Manager of the Year and AL Manager of the Year in 2002, and is among only 17 people who have won a World Series Championship as both a player and a manager.

In addition, Scioscia is active in numerous Angels' community relations activities, including serving as co-chairman since 2000 of the Angels Care 65 Roses Golf Tournament.

Mike Scioscia is a former Major League catcher and is the all-time leader in games caught for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He caught 100 or more games 10 times in his career, including nine seasons in a row from 1984-92. He was also a member of the 1981 and 1988 Dodgers World Series Championship teams. He played 15 seasons in the big leagues as a catcher with Dodgers, Padres and Rangers, and retired as a player in August of 1994.

The Hot Stove Banquet will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6:30 p.m. The night will also feature the 2007 Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame inductions, a silent auction and a live auction.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. Prices are $37.50 in advance and $45.00 at the door. Corporate tables are available for $350 and seat 10. Tickets can be purchased from Veteran's Memorial Stadium, by phone at (319) 363-3887, or at www.kernels.com online.

Proceeds will benefit the Kernels Foundation, which ensures that all youth in eastern Iowa have the opportunity to experience the thrills and life-enhancing lessons that come from engaging in athletics and recreational activities.

KCRG TV-9 and Cumulus Media stations KRNA, KHAK, KDAT and KRQN are proud media sponsors of the 11th Annual Hot Stove Banquet.