FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                     Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
July 25, 2008                                                                                           860-309-9293 cell

                                                                                jversteeg@jackhammerbaseball.com

 

JACKHAMMERS ANNOUNCE ROSTER ADDITIONS FOR THE “BUDWEISER LEGENDS GAME”

 

JOLIET, IL-Former Cubs closer Lee Smith is among the new participants added to the Budweiser Legends Game on Saturday, August 9 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet’s City Center. The former all-time saves leader joins former Cubs Bill “Mad Dog” Madlock and Mike Bielecki as additions to the game. Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins is scheduled to appear at the game along with former Cardinals Tommie Herr, Ken Reitz and Bob Forsch. Great seats are still available for the game by calling (815) 726-2255 or by visiting the box office at Silver Cross Field during normal business hours.

 

Smith started his career as the 2^nd round selection of the Cubs in the 1975 amateur draft. Originally a starting pitcher in his formative years, he was converted to a reliever in the Cubs minor league system and became one of the first dominant closers in baseball history. He retired after an 18-year career with 478 saves with stops along the way for the Cubs (1980-1987) and the Cardinals (1990-1993).

 

Madlock played for the Cubs from 1974-1976. He hit .354 in 1975 and had his second-best season in power numbers in 1976 with 15 home runs and 84 RBI. Bielecki logged three of his 14 major league seasons with the Cubs. He won a career-high 18 games with the Cubs in 1989 and pitched 212.1 innings that season.

 

The Cardinals team will be managed by Jared Voss, head baseball coach at Joliet Catholic Academy while Terry Piazza, head baseball coach at Joliet Township High School will manage the Cubs team. Local college baseball players will fill out both rosters.

 

The JackHammers currently have partial-season seats, mini-plan packages, group outings and individual tickets on sale.  To invest in tickets, or for more information, please contact the JackHammers Ticket Department TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours or visit the JackHammers website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.

 

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