Blanchard to speak at banquet

FISHKILL, NY -- The Hudson Valley Renegades are thrilled to announce that Ex-Yankee Johnny Blanchard will be speaking with 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee Gosse Gossage at the Baseball Banquet benefiting the Pitch-For-Kids Fund on April 11th at the Holiday Inn in Fishkill, from 7-11 p.m.

Johnny Blanchard broke into the big leagues at the tender age of 22-years-old with the New York Yankees. After getting his first taste of the majors on Sept. 25, 1955 he would have to wait four more years to get a second shot. Blanchard re-joined the Yankees in 1959 and spent the next six seasons and part of a seventh in pinstripes.

During his time with the Yankees Blanchard played along side some of the games greatest players. Teammates of Blanchard included Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford to name a few.

Blanchard accumulated 1,193 at-bats throughout his major league career and slugged his way to a .239 lifetime batting average with 67 homeruns, 36 doubles and 200 RBI. During his eight years as a major leaguer he had the privilege of playing in four World Series' from 1960 through '64, winning two titles in '61 and '62 all with the Yankees.

During his career he was never thought of as an All-Star but during the 1961 World Series vs. the Cincinnati Reds he stole the show. During the series he played in four games and demolished opposing pitchers with two homeruns, a double, three RBI and an amazing .400 batting average.

Tickets for the Baseball Banquet are now on sale. Fans can purchase a V.I.P. Ticket for $275 and a Gold Ticket for $125.

The V.I.P. Ticket will grant access to the V.I.P. 90-minute open bar, dinner and a presentation from Gossage and Blanchard. Also included is an autographed baseball, a special commemorative Goose Gossage hat and the Renegades will take your picture with the Hall of Famer Gossage. V.I.P. access also provides the opportunity to meet Blanchard and take your picture with him on your own.

The Gold Ticket will cost $125 and includes an open bar starting at 7 p.m., dinner and a presentation from Gossage and Blanchard. Also included is an autographed 8x10 picture of Gossage and a commemorative Gossage hat. The Gold Ticket provides the opportunity to meet Blanchard and take your picture with him on your own.

To order your tickets contact Eddie Cunningham at 845-838-0094 ext. 255 or by e-mail at [email protected].