to headline featured speakers at Jan. 11 banquet
On Thursday, January 11th the Leland Hot Stove League will hold its annual banquet promoting the game of baseball at every level.
The banquet will be held at North Brunswick High School, beginning 6:30 p.m.. There will be an all-star list of speakers at this year’s event including former major league pitcher Tommy John, and catcher Barry Foote. Hall of Fame Coach Russ Frazier will also speak along with former North Brunswick stars Steve Mintz and Billy Best.
Mintz a former big league pitcher and is currently a pitching coach in the Minnesota Twins organization. Best is currently a scout with the Atlanta Braves.
Tommy John proved to the baseball world that serious physical problems do not necessarily drown the spirit of a true competitor. Despite rough beginnings and setbacks along the way, John eventually became one of the most well known and inspiring major league pitchers of all time. John made his pitching debut for the Cleveland Indians Sept. 6, 1963. During the 1974 season while pitching for the L.A. Dodgers John permanently damaged the ulnar collateral ligamment in his pitching arm, and a miraculous revolutionary surgical procedure was performed. The operation, widely known today as Tommy John surgery, replaced the ligament in the elbow of his pitching arm with a tendon from his right forearm. The surgery was performed by Dr. Frank Jobe. John spent the entire 1975 season recovering from the surgery, and surprised fans and players alike by returning to the Dodgers rotation in 1976.
John went on to pitch until 1989 and earned 164 of his 288 victories after his surgery. John retired at 23rd on the all-time win list, sixth in games started and 26th in shutouts. John still ranks as the winningest pitcher in major-league history not to be elected into the Hall of Fame. John, a four time all-star, won the Come Back player of the year in 1976.
Legendary Coach Russ Frazier became Head Coach at Louisburg College in 1959 and led the Hurricanes to national prominence during his tenure of 40 years. Coach Frazier directed the Hurricanes to 22 conference titles, nine district championships and nine trips to the National Junior College World Series while compiling a record of 1034 wins and only 390 losses.
Frazier built a program rich in baseball talent but also with a firm commitment to academics.
For banquet ticket information, contact at 655-0563 or Carter Rabon at 371-3082