Former righty bolsters pitching staff
CHARLESTON, SC – The roster for “Legends in the South” Alumni Game that pits former Atlanta Braves stars against those from the New York Yankees received a bolster as Pete Smith, who played in the big leagues from 1987-98, has joined the lengthy list of stars coming to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on May 27.
Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round (21st overall pick) in the 1984 Major League Baseball Draft, Smith was traded to the Braves along with Ozzie Virgil, Jr., for Steve Bedrosian and Milt Thompson. Smith made his major league debut on September 8, 1987 with Atlanta at age 21. In 1988, Smith pitched three shutouts the season after his rookie year. The Braves wanted Smith to develop into an ace pitcher as John Smoltz and Tom Glavine were developing to be.
Smith eventually played for the Braves from 1987-93 and joined the New York Mets for the 1994 campaign. The Massachusetts native pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in 1995, spent the next two seasons with the San Diego Padres and finished his career in 1998 with the Baltimore Orioles.
Participating in the game will be Bobby Richardson (3rd base coach), Ron Blomberg, Ken Griffey, Sr., Gene “Stick” Michael, Ron Blomberg, Marquis Grissom, Denny Neagle and Ryan Klesko, to name a few.
General admission tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event start at $12 and are now on sale. Box seats are $25 each, lower reserved seats are $20, and upper reserved tickets are $15. Tickets may be secured by calling 843/577-DOGS (3647), online at riverdogs.com or at the Riley Park Box Office. Proceeds benefit the Singleton Fund with fans being able to text donations throughout the event.
Gates open at 4 pm so fans may watch batting practice and secure autographs. The Joe will transition into a “Thirsty Friday” with $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub with DJ Natty Heavy spinning popular tunes.
Various VIP meet and greet opportunities are available for auction on riverdogs.com and offers fans once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to rub shoulders with the shining cast of former big leaguers. Auction items include a spot at a welcome reception and welcome dinner with the Legends’ teams on Thursday, May 26, from 7-9pm and a pregame luncheon on Friday, May 27, from 1-3pm at a local restaurant.
Fans can also bid on a one-of-a-kind opportunity to take batting practice on the pregame field, suit up in full uniform and experience the exhibition from either the Braves or Yankees dugout with one spot for each team available for auction.
–RIVERDOGS–
Braves Legends Roster*
Marquis Grissom
Ryan Klesko
Denny Neagle
Pete Smith
Yankees Legends Roster*
Ron Blomberg
Ken Griffey, Sr.
Bobby Richardson (3rd Base Coach)
*Rosters subject to change
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