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IRONPIGS ANNOUNCE CARAVAN LINEUP
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| Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas will be the master of ceremonies for the 2008 Phillies Caravan presented by The Air Products Foundation, which will be held on Wednesday, January 23 at DeSales University. The defending National League East Champions will also be represented at the event by pitcher Brett Myers, newly acquired outfielder Geoff Jenkins, General Manager Pat Gillick, Manager Charlie Manuel and Minor League Director Steve Noworyta. The special evening will also include an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic. |
| “The Phillies have really stepped up to the plate and delivered with an outstanding group of individuals for the Phillies Caravan,” remarked IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. “We are very excited to be hosting our first charity event, especially one that will make for such a special evening for our fans and for the Lehigh Valley.” |
| All proceeds from the first-annual event will benefit IronPigs Charities, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. IronPigs Charities is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level. |
| Harry Kalas received the Ford C. Frick award for his contributions to baseball broadcasting and was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. The widely popular Phillies play-by-play announcer joined the team in 1971 and was behind the microphone during Philadelphia’s only championship season of 1980. Known for a classic style and a deep, resonating voice, Kalas has been embraced by generations of Philadelphian’s and sports fans worldwide. |
| The legendary broadcaster will be accompanied by a pair of current Phillies players, including pitcher Brett Myers. The 27-year-old was instrumental in the club’s late-season run last season, notching 21 saves while pitching out of the bullpen for the first time in his career. The hard-throwing right-hander is known for an explosive fastball and is approaching 1,000 career strikeouts. |
| Joining Myers will be newly acquired outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who just signed as a free agent December 20 after the slugger had spent 10 seasons with Milwaukee. An All-Star in 2003, he has had at least 20 home runs in seven of his nine full Major League seasons, topping out with 34 in 2000. The versatile Jenkins, capable of playing both left and right field, bolsters a Phillies’ lineup that paced the National League in a number of offensive categories last season. |
| The main program for the Phillies Caravan will consist of dinner, a sports memorabilia silent auction, raffles and an entertainment portion, featuring interviews and a question-and-answer segment with the Phillies players and personnel listed above. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and commencement of the auctions and raffles. |
| Tickets cost $65 for adults or $550 for a table of nine. Championship tables, allowing patrons entrance to a private pre-event reception and the opportunity to mingle with event VIP’s are also available. Availability is limited, to make a seat or table reservation, please call (610) 435-3001 or click here. |
| The IronPigs inaugural season, presented by Capital BlueCross, begins on April 3rd at PNC Field in Moosic, Pa., against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. The IronPigs return for Opening Day at Coca-Cola Park on April 11th at 7:05 p.m. against the reigning International League champion Richmond Braves. Season tickets, mini plans and group tickets for the inaugural season are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling (610) 435-3001. |
