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MLB

Richmond's Cla Meredith Honored at Squirrels Hot Stove Event

Former VCU Ram & MLB Pitcher Earns Paul Keyes RBI Award
By
January 6, 2016

Richmond, Va. - The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce that Richmond native and former MLB pitcher Cla Meredith will be honored as the 2015 Paul Keyes Richmond Baseball Impact (RBI) Award winner at the Flying Squirrels Charity Hot Stove Banquet on January 21st at the Siegel Center. The Paul Keyes RBI award is given each year in memory of the all-time winningest coach in VCU baseball history and well-known friend and figure in the Richmond athletic community. Meredith pitched at VCU for Coach Keyes from 2002-2004 and is the first honoree to have played under the award's namesake. Meredith retired in 2011 following a six year stretch in MLB and is currently in training to become a firefighter in Henrico County. Previous Paul Keyes RBI Award recipients, a full Meredith bio and Hot Stove Banquet details are listed below. 

"I consider myself more of an average guy and was very fortunate to have the career that I did. For all the achievements I have had throughout my career, this one means a lot because there is nothing like being recognized in your hometown," Meredith said. "To say it is an honor is an understatement. Coach Keyes was larger than life to me…I loved to play for him and I loved to make him proud. He was a winner in every sense of the word."

Previous award winners include Tracy Woodson, Gene Alley, Johnny Grubb Eddie Kasko and Sam Ayoub. Woodson Alley & Ayoub will all be in attendance for the event. Additional baseball dignitaries attending the event include the President of Minor League Baseball Pat O'Connor.

6th Annual Hot Stove Banquet Celebrity Guest List:

  • Lee Smith (7-time MLB All-Star)
  • Grady Little (Former MLB & R-Braves Manager)
  • Josh Osich (2015 Squirrels closer and current Giants reliever)
  • Pat O'Conner (Milb President & CEO)
  • Steve Kline (Former MLB pitcher, Squirrels Pitching Coach)
  • Kenny Joyce (Flying Squirrels Hitting Coach entering his 5th season with Richmond)
  • Cla Meredith (Former VCU & MLB pitcher. 2015 Paul Keyes RBI Award winner)
  • Tracy Woodson (Former MLB third baseman, UR Baseball Coach & 2014 Paul Keyes Award winner)
  • Sam Ayoub (Former R-Braves staff & 2015 Paul Keyes RBI Award winner)
  • Gene Alley (Former Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop & 2013 Paul Keyes Award winner)
  • Jon Laaser (Voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies, formerly of the Squirrels)

About Cla Meredith

Cla Meredith is the 6th recipient of the Paul Keyes RBI Award and the first to have played for Coach Keyes. Meredith pitched three seasons at VCU under the tutelage of Coach Keyes and stands as one of the best Rams pitchers of all-time. Cla played for Johnny Grubb at Meadowbrook High School and pitched for VCU from 2002-2004 and compiled a 2.52 career ERA. He led the nation in 2003 ERA and was selected by the Red Sox in the 6th round of the 2004 draft. Meredith swiftly made his MLB debut on May 5th, 2005 for Boston and became the second player from his draft class to ascend to the Big Leagues. The Red Sox traded Cla the following season to the Bruce Bochy-led Padres and he helped San Diego to a first place finish. Overall Meredith appeared in 286 Major League contests over six seasons for Boston, San Diego and Baltimore. He retired in 2011 and is currently training to become a fire fighter in Henrico County.

6th Annual Hot Stove Banquet Itinerary

  • 4pm-5pm: VIP reception in Tommy J. West Club - for table sponsors and celebrity guests
  • 5:30pm-6:30pm: Autograph session & silent auction in main arena - all guest are invited
  • 7pm-8pm: Dinner and program 
  • Immediately following event - Post event party, location TBD

Proceeds from this year's event will benefit Flying Squirrels Charities, a nonprofit 501(C)(3) founded in 2014 and dedicated to improving the Richmond community through the Flying Squirrels. Table Sponsorships and tickets for the 6th Annual Hot Stove are available by calling the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-3866. The Flying Squirrels 2016 home schedule begins April 14th at 6:35PM against the Altoona Curve. Season tickets, mini plans and group packages are currently available by contacting the box office at 804-359-FUNN or online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.