Tom Seaver To Speak At Hot Stove Gala

FRESNO, Calif. - Save the date Fresno as the city's own, Tom Seaver, will return home for a special evening. The Fresno Grizzlies are proud to announce the Hall of Fame pitcher and Fresno native will be the honorary guest at the 52nd Anniversary Hot Stove Gala. He will also be awarded the Al Radka Award, which is presented to an individual who brings the community together through the game of baseball. The event will be held at the New Exhibit Hall Convention Center in Downtown Fresno on Thursday, February 7th, 2013.

Seaver was born and raised in Fresno prior to going on to have a legendary career in baseball. He graduated from Fresno High School in 1962 and attended Fresno City College before transferring to the University of Southern California. He was also named an All-American at USC.

In his 20-year career in the Major Leagues, Seaver was the 1967 National League Rookie of the Year, a three-time Cy Young award winner, and 12-time All-Star. His 3,640 career strikeouts and 311 career wins rank sixth and 18th, respectively, all-time in baseball history.

In 1992, Seaver was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot. He and Frank Chance, who played with the Chicago Cubs in the early 20th century, are the only Fresno natives in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the annual dinner will go on sale on Monday, August 20th. In addition to guest speakers from the world of baseball, awards to local high schools will be presented as well as the Al Radka Award. Proceeds from the event benefit the Grizzlies Community Fund, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that spearheads efforts to assist, reward and support worthwhile causes throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley. More event details will be announced over the course of the next few months.