Boston College Athletics
23rd Annual Baseball Night Set for January 15
December 02, 2014 | Baseball
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The 23rd Annual Baseball Night In Boston is scheduled for Thursday, January 15 from 6-9 p.m. at Fenway Park's State Street Pavilion. The event is the single largest fundraiser for the Boston College baseball program.
The night will be a tribute to Joe Morgan, Boston College class of 1953. Morgan played baseball and hockey at The Heights and was an outstanding shortstop and leader, earning the captain position as a junior. He also led the Eagles in points as a junior on the ice as a high-scoring center. In 1979, he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame. After his career at the Heights, the Walpole, Mass., native went on to play 88 games in the Majors before deciding to pursue a managerial career. He coached the Pawtucket Red Sox from 1974-82 before becoming the manager of the Boston Red Sox in 1988.
Morgan took over for the Red Sox after the All-Star break and "Morgan Magic" came to be as Boston won 12 straight and 19 out of 20 games. They also won 24 in a row at home. The Sox went 46-31 over the second half of the season, overcoming a nine-game deficit to win the AL East division title. With Morgan at the helm, the Red Sox won the division again in 1990. In three and a half seasons, Morgan went 301-262 with the hometown team. He was inducted in the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2006.
"I could not be more excited about Baseball Night In Boston this year. This is always a great night for our program, our fans and our alumni," head coach Mike Gambino said. "There have some incredible speakers in the past, but this year is special in that we get to honor one of our own. Joe Morgan is a BC guy through and through and to be able to have a night where we pay tribute to his baseball career is very special. Joe is one of the best baseball guys you will ever be around and he's even a better person."
A panel of Morgan's former players will highlight the night, including Rich Gedman, Bruce Hurst and John Tudor.
Gedman, a Worcester, Mass., native and two-time All-Star, caught for the Red Sox from 1980 to 1989, batting .259 with 356 RBIs and 83 home runs. He finished his 13-year career with St. Louis and Houston. Hurst, the Red Sox's first-round pick in 1976, played with the club from 1980 until 1988. He was 8873 with a 4.23 ERA and 13 shutouts before heading to the San Diego Padres. He also played for Colorado and Texas, recording a 4.30 ERA and a 145-113 record in a 15-year career. Tudor pitched in Boston from 1979 to 1983, tallying a 39-32 record and a 3.96 ERA. He went on to play for Pittsburgh, St. Louis and the LA Dodgers, finishing his career with a 117-72 record and 3.12 overall ERA.
Proceeds help to defray the team's early-season trips to the south which is vital to the team's preparation. The funds raised also contribute to annual operating expenses including recruiting, equipment and scholarships.
There are several ways to support the success of the event. The first is by purchasing tickets or a sponsorship. Independent financial contributions, along with auction item donations, are also essential to the evening. Donated items such as tickets to sporting or non-sporting events, autographed balls, pictures and jerseys, along with many other items will be auctioned off the night of the event.
Space is limited to 250 guests and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost $150 per ticket. Those who purchase by December 31 will be entered to win two courtside seats to the Boston College-Virginia men's basketball game on Saturday, January 17 at 2 p.m.
To participate, click here or contact Danielle Gaynor in the Office of Athletic Development at (617) 552-1336 or danielle.gaynor@bc.edu . Checks can also be mailed payable to Boston College Baseball.
