Pelicans Warm-up to Another Hot Stove Featuring ESPN Analyst
The Pensacola Pelicans are pleased to announce they will be hosting their Second Ever Hot Stove Banquet on March 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Sanders Beach Community Center. Former MLB manager and current ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst Buck Showalter will be the featured speaker. Showalter was born in DeFuniak Springs, FL and grew up in Century, just north of Pensacola.
The banquet is free to Pelicans season ticket holders and certain level sponsors. The public can attend for $30, which also gets them two tickets to the 2010 home opener, by reserving their spot at Jason@pensacolapelicans.com or by calling 850-934-8444.
The Dallas, Tex., resident had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
“The great relationships created amongst the fans are far reaching beyond Pelican Park. Our Hot Stove banquets provide opportunities for our fans to catch up, hear an inspiring message, and see what’s in store with the team for 2010,” commented Pelicans general manager Talmadge Nunnari. “Having someone like Buck, who’s lived in our community for so many years and his achievements in MLB, to return to Pensacola and share those experiences with us is a privilege.”
Showalter moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
The term “Hot Stove” is a long-time baseball term that refers to the time between the end of one season and the beginning of spring training. The period is when die hard passionate fans would gather around a hot stove during the winter months and discuss their favorite teams, players, games, etc. This is also the time when a multitude of player transactions occur, called the “Hot Stove League.”
Pelicans Seek Host Families
With the Pelicans Opening Day around the corner, our very own “Boys of Summer” will arrive in Pensacola soon. The Pelicans are now seeking Host Families for the 2010 season.
The Host Family program gives fans a unique opportunity to be a part of the Pelicans organization. Host Families are asked to provide a furnished room and bathroom facilities. In appreciation, each family will receive two season tickets and be invited to all Pelicans VIP events.
Pelicans Field Manager Talmadge Nunnari notes the importance of host families in minor league baseball, “Host Families create a home away from home environment for these young men who travel from all parts of the United States and from different countries to play in Pensacola.”
Ron and Dora Giles have participated in the program for several years and have continued relationships with their players, “My husband and I have hosted 11 young men in the past 6 years and have made many lasting friendships. We still get phone calls and emails from several. We are looking forward to this year and eagerly awaiting our next young man that is reaching for a dream."
The Pensacola Pelicans Opening Day is Friday, May 21 when the Pelicans take on the Grand Prairie Air Hogs at Pelican Park.
If you are interested in hosting a player for the 2010 season, contact Carrie Smith at (850) 934-8444 or via e-mail, Carrie@pensacolapelicans.com.
It’s not too late to get invited to this and other VIP Pelicans events. 2010 season ticket packages area now available starting at only $160. Other gift packages begin at $54. Fans can call the Pelicans office at 850-934-8444 for more information or to reserve their seats.
