The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, announced that seven-time MLB All-Star relief pitcher Lee Smith has been added to the celebrity guest list at the Flying Squirrels Charity Hot Stove Banquet on January 21 at the Siegel Center.
Smith spent 18 seasons in the Major Leagues and retired as the All-Time leader in saves with 478. Smith is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the 14th consecutive season with the 2016 Hall of Fame class to be announcedWednesday. He will join baseball celebrities Grady Little, Josh Osich, Kenny Joyce and Steve Kline at the 6th annual Charity Banquet. Celebrity guests are scheduled to sign autographs as well as partake in the festivities. A timeline of the events are listed below.Tickets are available for purchase online with proceeds benefiting the Renovating Richmond’s Recreation project.
“Lee is a great friend and we are excited he agreed to join us,” said Flying Squirrels VP Todd “Parney” Parnell. “He and Grady, along with our staff and other celebrity guests, will bring hundreds of baseball stories and memories to the Siegel Center. We thank these gentlemen, and all the celebrities and fans that attend for helping us continue to grow Flying Squirrels charities as we rebuild youth baseball fields in the inner city of Richmond.”
The Squirrels will also be presenting the annual Paul Keyes Richmond Baseball Impact Award at the event. Previous award winners include Tracy Woodson, Gene Alley, Johnny Grubb, Eddie Kasko and Sam Ayoub. Woodson, Alley & Ayoub will all be in attendance this year. Additional baseball dignitaries attending the event include the President of Minor League Baseball Pat O’Connor.
Hot Stove Banquet Celebrity Guest List
- Lee Smith (7-time MLB All-Star)
- Grady Little (Former MLB & R-Braves Manager)
- Josh Osich (2015 Squirrels closer and current Giants reliever)
- Pat O’Conner (Milb President & CEO)
- Steve Kline (Former MLB pitcher, Squirrels Pitching Coach)
- Kenny Joyce (Flying Squirrels Hitting Coach entering his 5th season with Richmond)
- Cla Meredith (Former VCU & MLB pitcher)
- Tracy Woodson (Former MLB third baseman, UR Baseball Coach & 2014 Paul Keyes Award winner)
- Sam Ayoub (Former R-Braves staff & 2015 Paul Keyes RBI Award winner)
- Gene Alley (Former Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop & 2013 Paul Keyes Award winner)
- Jon Laaser (Voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies, formerly of the Squirrels)
About Lee Smith
Lee Smith pitched for eight teams over an 18-year career that ended with him holding Major League Baseball’s career saves record with 478. He held that distinction from 1993-2006 and currently sits 3rd all-time in saves trailing only Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Smith still holds the MLB record for consecutive errorless games (546) by a pitcher. Smith currently works with the Giants as a Roving Pitching Instructor, a role he has held since 2000.
A seven-time All-Star, Smith was named the National League Fireman of the Year in 1991 and shared the award in 1983 and 1992. He won the American League award in 1994 and still holds the Cubs club record for saves. Smith has been on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot the past 13 years and received over 50% of the vote in 2012.
Smith pitched 18 seasons (1980-97) for eight clubs (Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles, Angels, Reds and Expos). A hard-throwing 6-6 right-hander, Smith appeared in 1,022 games and had a career record of 71-92 and 3.03 ERA, with 486 walks and 1,251 strikeouts. He recorded 30 or more saves 10 times in his career. Smith led the National League in saves in 1983, ’91 and ’92 and the American League in 1994. His best seasons were from 1991-93 when he had 47, 43 and 46 saves. Smith signed with the Cubs after graduating from Castor High School in Louisiana.
Hot Stove Banquet Itinerary
- 4pm-5pm: VIP reception in Tommy J. West Club – for table sponsors and celebrity guests
- 5:30pm-6:30pm: Autograph session & silent auction in main arena – all guest are invited
- 7pm-8pm: Dinner and program
- Immediately following event – Post event party, location TBD
Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Flying Squirrels Charities, a nonprofit 501(C)(3) founded in 2014 and dedicated to improving the Richmond community through the Flying Squirrels. Table Sponsorships and tickets for the 6th Annual Hot Stove are available by calling the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-3866. The Flying Squirrels 2016 home schedule begins April 14th at 6:35PM against the Altoona Curve. Season tickets, mini plans and group packages are currently available by contacting the box office at 804-359-FUNN or online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.
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