SCHEDULED GUESTS AT THE ANNUAL DINNER AND SYMPOSIUM TO COMMEMORATE THE MAPLE LEAFS 51st IBL SEASON INCLUDE ANDRE DAWSON; GOOSE GOSSAGE; FERGUSON JENKINS; TIM RAINES AND STEVE ROGERS
It goes without saying that Jack Dominico, the owner of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club, has been one of the most avid supporters of our Toronto Playgrounds House League Baseball program through many years.
Dominico is passionate in his support of youth baseball and the community surrounding Christie Pits. He has held numerous weekend baseball clinics for those involved in our TP House League Baseball program where young players can learn skills from talented 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 House League 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 32nd edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs Forum and Reception on Saturday, May 4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Marriot Airport Hotel (901 Dixon Road). The annual forum will be held the night before the Leafs play their 51st IBL Season Opener at Dominico Field Christie Pits on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m.
In addition to the IBL celebrating its 101st year of existence this upcoming season, Dominico will also be marking his 51st year as owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball franchise.
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:
Andre Dawson: During a superb 21-year Hall of Fame 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. Dawson garnered a lifetime .279 batting average while accumulating 2,774 hits, 438 home runs, and 1,591 RBI’s.
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.
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.
Tim Raines: During 23 illustrious seasons in the major leagues, Raines is fondly remembered for his thirteen glorious years as a player with the Montreal Expos. This distinguished Hall of Fame left fielder is regarded as one of the best leadoff hitters and baserunners in baseball history. Raines (a.k.a. ‘Rock’) garnered a lifetime .294 batting average while accumulating 2,605 hits, 980 RBI’s, 170 home runs and 808 stolen bases. In addition to being a seven time All-Star, Raines won three World Series titles and was the National League stolen base leader for four consecutive seasons from 1981 to 1984.
Steve Rogers: Rogers was a five time All-Star pitcher who played his entire thirteen year MLB career with the Montreal Expos (1973-1985). Known for his unusual stumble delivery, Rogers had a MLB career 158-152 win-loss record, 3.17 ERA and 1,621 strikeouts. Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, this talented and gritty righty had his best season in 1982 when he won a career high nineteen games, pitched four shutouts, and led all National League pitchers with a stellar 2.40 ERA.
Tickets are $85.00 (plus G.S.T.) per person. For tickets or more information to this stellar event, please call (416) 631-2600.