SCHEDULED GUESTS AT THE ANNUAL DINNER AND SYMPOSIUM TO KICKOFF THE MAPLE LEAFS 2013 IBL SEASON INCLUDE FERGUSON JENKINS; ANDRE DAWSON; GOOSE GOSSAGE; JACK MORRIS; PHIL NIEKRO AND GAYLORD PERRY
Clockwise from top left: Jack Morris; Andre Dawson; Gaylord Perry; Phil Niekro; Goose Gossage and Andre Dawson.
It goes without saying that Jack Dominico, the owner of the Intercounty Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club, has been one of the most avid supporters of the Toronto Playgrounds House League Baseball program through the years.
Jack Dominico
Dominico is passionate in his support of youth baseball and the community surrounding Christie Pits and Bickford Park. He has held numerous weekend baseball clinics for those involved in our TP Baseball program where young players can learn skills from players on his Toronto Maple Leafs team.
His love of the game and the neighbourhood that encompasses it have been one of the facets that have made TP Baseball the jewel that it is.
The TP Baseball Committee would like to announce to all the players and parents involved in our program that Jack Dominico will be holding the 26th edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs Forum and Reception on Saturday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel (901 Dixon Road). The forum is held the night before the Leafs play their 45th Season Opener at Dominico Field Christie Pits on Sunday, May 5 against the London Majors at 2 p.m.
In addition, some of these baseball greats will also be in attendance the following day at the Maple Leafs Season Opener beginning at 12 p.m.
The Forum is a great opportunity for attendees who are young and old to ask questions to a wide array of former all-star players and hear about their unique experiences in the major leagues. Afterwards, attendees can also obtain autographs from the all stars in attendance.
This year’s baseball greats in attendance at the Toronto Maple Leafs Forum and Reception include:
- Ferguson Jenkins: During a stellar 19-year major league career, this 1971 Cy Young Award winner and three time all-star pitcher remains the only Canadian to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Jenkins won 284 games in the majors while recording 3,192 strikeouts and a career 3.34 ERA. Jenkins is one of only four major league pitchers to ever record more than 3,000 strikeouts with fewer than 1,000 walks.
- Andre Dawson: During a superb 21-year major league career with four teams (most prominently with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs), Dawson (a.k.a. ‘The Hawk’) was an eight time all-star and eight time Gold Glove winner for his defensive prowess in the outfield. After earning Rookie of the Year honours in 1977, Dawson batted .300 five times, drove in 100 runs four times and had 13 seasons of 20 home runs. The Hawk is one of eight major league players with at least 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases during his career.
- Goose Gossage: During a 22-year Hall of Fame career, Gossage was one of baseball’s preeminent and dominating closers. This nine time all-star recorded 310 saves while recording 1,502 strikeouts. Sporting wild facial hair and a gruff demeanor to go along with a sizzling 98 to 102 mile per hour fastball , Gossage won one World Series title in 1978 with the New York Yankees.
- Jack Morris: Over the course of 18 major league seasons, this five time all-star was one baseball’s elite starting pitchers (254 wins; 2,478 strikeouts; 3.90 ERA). Utilizing a repertoire of devastating pitches along with a fierce competitive spirit, Morris played on four World Series Championship teams (Detroit Tigers [1984]; Minnesota Twins [1991]; Toronto Blue Jays [1992 and 1993]). Morris also pitched a no hitter in 1984 with the Tigers.
- Phil Niekro: During a 24-year Hall of Fame career in the majors, this five time all-star was one of baseball’s premier knuckleball pitchers. Niekro recorded 3,342 strikeouts to go along with 318 wins and a career 3.35 ERA. In fact, his 121 career victories after the age of 40 remains a major league record. Niekro also threw a no hitter in 1973 with the Atlanta Braves.
- Gaylord Perry: Over the period of a 22-year journeyman major league career, this Hall of Famer and five time all-star won 314 games while recording 3,534 strikeouts and a 3.11 ERA. Perry was the first pitcher to ever win the Cy Young Award in both the American (Cleveland Indians [1972]) and National League (San Diego Padres [1978]). Niekro also earned some noteriety during his playing career of being a “spitball” pitcher. In addition, Niekro pitched a no hitter in 1968 with the San Francisco Giants.
For tickets or more information, please call (416) 631-2600.