Plethora of pros highlight Syracuse event
A 2003 inductee into the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame, Cazenovia resident Mike Barlow appeared in 133 games over seven Major League seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals (1975), Houston Astros (1976), California Angels (1977-1979) and Toronto Blue Jays (1980-1981) registering a career record of 10-6. He appeared in 83 games for the Syracuse Chiefs from 1980-1982, compiling a record of 12-8 and a 3.39 ERA.
A 2002 inductee into the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame, Camillus native Frank DiPino appeared in 514 games over his 12-year Major League career for the Milwaukee Brewers (1981), Houston Astros (1982-1986), Chicago Cubs (1986-1988), St. Louis Cardinals (1989-1992) and Kansas City Royals (1993), registering a career record of 35-38, with 56 saves and a 3.83 ERA.
Set to begin his first season as the head coach of the OCC Lazers, Corcoran graduate Bryan Gaal enjoyed a seven-year professional career from 1999-2005. He was a member of two championship teams, the 2001 California League Champion Lake Elsinore Storm and the 2004 Northern League Champion St. Paul Saints.
Baldwinsville resident Steve Grilli appeared in 70 Major League games over his four year Major League career for the Detroit Tigers (1975-1979) and the Toronto Blue Jays (1979), registering a career record of 4-3 with three saves and a 4.51 ERA. He appeared in 102 games for the Syracuse Chiefs from 1978-1981, compiling a career record of 19-27 and a 3.15 ERA.
Peter Hoy was a 33rd round selection of the Boston Red Sox in the 1987 draft out of Le Moyne College. He spent his entire professional career in the Red Sox organization, including five appearances with the Red Sox in 1992. Hoy also was a member of the 1988 Canadian Olympic Team. He has served as the pitching coach at his alma mater for nine seasons and has seen a Le Moyne pitcher drafted in each of the last five Major League Baseball amateur drafts.
A 2005 inductee into the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame, Liverpool native John Johnstone appeared in 234 games over his eight-year Major League career for the Florida Marlins (1993-1995), Houston Astros (1996), San Francisco Giants (1997, 1998-1999) and the Oakland Athletics, registering a career record of 15-19 and a 4.01 ERA.
Clay resident Mark Lukasiewicz appeared in 41 games for the Anaheim Angels (2001-2002) and was 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA for the 2002 World Series Champions. He appeared in 163 games for the SkyChiefs (1997-2000, 2004), compiling a record of 14-12. After retiring from baseball after the 2004 season, Lukasiewicz joined the Chiefs Broadcast team and serves as the color analyst for all Chiefs home games.
Steve Owens has guided the Le Moyne Dolphins to more wins in his first seven seasons than any coach in a seven-year stretch in program history. Owens has a record of 223-127 (.637) at Le Moyne, including a program high 38 wins (38-14) in 2006. He was named the 2004 and 2006 MAAC Coach of the Year and 2003 ABCA/Diamond Northeast Region Coach of the Year.
Drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 24th overall pick of the 1993 amateur draft, Jon Ratliff enjoyed a 10-year professional career, including one-game for the Oakland Athletics. The Liverpool High School graduate ended his career after the 2002 season during which he appeared in 27 games for his hometown Syracuse SkyChiefs.
Dick Rockwell has been a fixture at Le Moyne college for 39 years, where he served as the head baseball coach for 25 years, ending his career with a record of 757-309 (.710) and has been the school's Athletic Director for the last 17 years. He is a member of the National Baseball Coaches, Ithaca College, Le Moyne College and the Greater Syracuse Athletic Hall of Fames.
In addition to the local baseball legends at the head table the event will feature former New York Yankees infielder Bobby Richardson, new Chiefs Manager Doug Davis and Chiefs outfielder Chad Mottola and Detroit Tigers pitcher Jason Grilli.
Tickets for the event are $45.00 for adults, $20.00 for children 12-and-under, or a table of 10 can be purchased for $400.00 and are available for advance purchase only at the Chiefs Ticket Office at Alliance Bank Stadium, by phone (315) 474-7833 or online at www.syracusechiefs.com. The Silent Auction begins at 5:30 PM and dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.