Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers to Appear at All-Star Smash
Former Modesto Reds pitcher and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers will be the featured guest at the All-Star Smash, the Modesto Nuts announced today. Fingers, who was a member of the 1966 Modesto Reds, was inducted into Cooperstown in 1992. He is one of five former Modesto players and coaches that have been inducted to the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame.
Fingers will serve as the keynote speaker at the All-Star Luncheon presented by SunTrust on Tuesday, June 21st. Fingers will entertain the audience of All-Star players, baseball executives and local businessmen and businesswomen with stories from his playing career while with the Modesto Reds and Oakland Athletics. Fingers will also be on -hand at the All-Star game to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and to sign autographs for fans.
"We are very excited to bring Rollie Fingers to the All-Star Smash," said Nuts Vice President and General Manager Mike Gorrasi. "Rollie is one of five Modesto alumni inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame and his presence will make the All-Star Smash an unforgettable event."
Fingers was 11-6 with a 2.77 ERA as a starter for the 1966 Modesto Reds team that included fellow Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. In addition to the two future superstars, the 1966 Modesto team also featured Modesto native Joe Rudi, infielder Tony LaRussa and catcher Dave Duncan.
Fingers was converted to a relief pitcher early in his Major League Baseball career. He retired with 341 career saves which was a Major League record at the time. In 1981, Fingers won the Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player Award with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Fingers will be available to sign autographs at the All-Star Smash for $15 per signature. A portion of the proceeds will benefit KinderVision, The National Child Safety Education Program that the Hall of Famer has supported since his playing career ended.
Tickets for the All-Star Smash are available by visiting www.modestonuts.com or by calling the Nuts ticket office at (209) 572-HITS (4487). The All-Star Smash will feature the top prospects in the California League against the top prospects in the Carolina League.