Altoona Curve Dinner

[GOOGLE]

www.altoonacurve.com

I went to this last year and it was awesome. Got over 10 George Fosters, 30 Chris Duffys, 40 Josh Bonifays, 40 McCutchens, and others. It was like a rack fest. Very disorganized, but in the good way that you can just clean up. They have announced Strawberry and Rivers so far, and they should announce 5-6 more. It's a little pricey at $60 but definately worth going if you can, so reserve your ticket fast because they sell out real quick.

 

[alanmoore]

STRAWBERRY TO HEADLINE HOT STOVE EVENT
11/29/2007 3:04 PM

Strawberry won four World Series titles during his long career
CLICK HERE to purchase your 2008 Curve Hot Stove Dinner tickets on-line!

The Altoona Curve and the Navasky Foundation For Life have announced that eight-time Major League Baseball All-Star and four-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry will be the featured guest for the 2008 Curve Hot Stove Dinner & Benefit Auction. The eighth annual event will be held on Friday, January 25th at 6 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona.

Also announced as part of the guest list for the January 25th benefit is 15-year major league veteran outfielder Mickey Rivers. Additional guests from the Curve, Pittsburgh Pirates, State College Spikes and the sports and entertainment world will be announced at a later date.

All proceeds from the Curve Hot Stove Dinner & Benefit Auction will go to the Navasky Foundation For Life, a non-profit organization founded by cancer survivor Chuck Navasky in part to fund cancer research and to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease. Last year's Hot Stove Event raised a record $36,000 for the Navasky Foundation of Life and all of the money raised directly benefitted programs in Central Pennsylvania.

"Our annual Hot Stove Dinner has become the highlight event of the local off-season baseball calendar and we are so proud of what this event has grown into and the level of support that it receives from our great fans from thoughout Central and Western Pennsylvania," said Curve General Manager Todd Parnell. "This year, we are absolutely thrilled to be able to welcome Darryl Strawberry and Mickey Rivers to our event. Chuck Navasky has once again proven his tireless dedication to his foundation and this event and has once again delivered two very well known featured guests from the past three decades of baseball history."

Strawberry was one of the most feared sluggers in Major League Baseball during the 1980’s and early 90’s. After being tabbed with the first overall selection in the 1980 MLB Draft out of Crenshaw High School in California, Strawberry quickly worked his way to the big leagues and made an immediate impact with the New York Mets in 1983 when he was named the National League Rookie-of-the-Year. Over his eight seasons with the Mets, Strawberry was a seven-time All-Star and was a key member of the 1986 World Series Championship team. When the Los Angeles native signed as a free agent with the Dodgers prior to the 1991 season, Strawberry had already cemented himself as one of the most dominant hitters in Mets history and still ranks as the all-time franchise leader in home runs, RBI, extra-base hits, and runs scored.

After a successful 1991 season, Strawberry struggled with injuries before joining the San Francisco Giants and later the New York Yankees, where he was a member of three World Series Championship teams. Darryl is one of only three players to have suited up for the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees – the four teams that have called New York home throughout baseball history. In 1998, Strawberry showed flashes of his former brilliance while with the Yankees, as he hit 24 home runs in 101 games in pinstripes. On October 1, 1998 Strawberry was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and underwent chemotherapy during the off-season before making one final comeback with the Yankees during their run to the World Series title in 1999.

Rivers spent 15 years in the Major Leagues playing with the California Angels, Texas Rangers and most notably the New York Yankees. With the Bronx Bombers, Rivers won two World Series rings in 1977 and 1978 and was an important member of the team that was recently featured in the ESPN Mini-Series “The Bronx is Burning.” Known as "Mick the Quick" during his career due to his exceptional speed, Rivers lead the league with 70 stolen bases and 13 triples in 1975.

In 1976, Rivers was traded from the Angels to the Yankees for Bobby Bonds and had his best season as a pro. The Florida native hit .312 with 43 stolen bases and 67 RBI, good enough to be named to his one and only MLB All-Star game. Following that season, Rivers came in third in the American League MVP voting behind teammate Thurman Munson and George Brett. One of the most clutch hitters during the Yankees reign of dominance in the late 1970’s, Rivers hit .308 in 29 post-season games.

The main program for the Hot Stove Event will consist of dinner, a sports memorabilia silent auction and an entertainment portion, featuring speeches by Strawberry, Rivers and other featured guests, and an interview portion with other guests. The dinner and entertainment portion of the event will begin at 7 p.m., preceded by an hour of mingling, fun and games, autographs and the start of the silent auction.

Tickets cost $60 for adults and $35 for children and can be purchased in person at either the Blair County Ballpark main office or the Curve Stockyard location inside the Logan Valley Mall, or on-line at AltoonaCurve.com.

The Navasky Foundation for Life was founded by Chuck Navasky and his wife, Jaye. The foundation benefits both cancer patients and research as well as helping to fund youth-oriented programs such as drug and alcohol education, big brother and sister programs, regional YMCA programs and other activities that are instrumental in keeping our children safe and educated. As a long-time musician, Navasky created the “One Less Tear” CD, a compilation of inspirational songs performed by some of the most well-known recording artists in the world, such as Olivia Newton-John, southern rock legends Donnie and Johnny Van Zant, rockers Mark Slaughter and Vince Neil and Hollywood legend Tony Curtis. In addition, several sports celebrities have also joined his foundation, including pro football stars L.C. Greenwood, Tony Dorsett and Curtis Martin, and many others. All proceeds from sales of the One Less Tear CD and concert events benefit cancer patients and cancer research.

Among the projects funded by the Navasky Foundation for Life and the One Less Tear CD was the 2003 renovation of the Radiation Oncology Department at the Altoona Hospital. For more information on the Navasky Foundation for Life visit their website at One Less Tear Home Page.

"Jaye and I are thrilled as usual to be teaming with such a great organziation like the Curve on this annual event," said Mr. Navasky. "Each year the Hot Stove Dinner tops the previous year in attendance and funds raised and we are planning on that once again being the case. We are also very proud to say that the funds we raise each year directly benefit the Altoona Hospital Cancer Oncology Department."

"This year, we have two very well known former major league players and friends of our foundation lending their support and we have a few surprises with some very big non-baseball celebrities also in attendance that evening so this will certainly be a memorable night for all who attend," added Navasky.