2010 Hot Stove Banquet a Success

Back Row:  Paul Schnack (Team President), Mitch Butz (Director of Operations), Nate Kreinbrink (Assistant GM), Tyler Hildreth (Clubhouse Manager), Ted Tornow (General Manager).  Front Row:  John Tamargo (LumberKings’ Field Manager), Dave Lezotte (Director of Broadcast/Media), Brad Seward (P.A. Announcer) and Ryan Marcum (Team Accountant)

Over 170 people attended the Friends of Riverview Stadium’s annual Hot Stove Banquet this past Saturday night at Eagle Point Lodge in Clinton.  This year’s program was highlighted by keynote speaker John Tamargo, a former Major League catcher and the new manager of the Clinton LumberKings.

Other speakers included General Manager Ted Tornow, Team President Paul Schnack, Assistant GM Nate Kreinbrink, Friends of Riverview Vice President Judy Dennis and Clinton Mayor Rodger Holm.

Tamargo spoke on his 30-plus years of professional baseball experience, including his five-year stint as a bullpen and bench coach with the Houston Astros.  After telling stories of the Killer B’s in Houston and a young Jose Canseco with the Miami Marlins in 1982, he went on to speak about his managing philosophy and brought up some of the names of potential returnees, including Mario Martinez and Ryan Royster.

The LumberKings also held a raffle and silent auction during the banquet, with all proceeds benefitting Friends of Riverview Stadium.  An autographed Ryne Sandberg bat headlined the auction, fetching a winning bid of $400.  Also included in the auction was Terry Serrano’s game-worn autographed Cancer Awareness Day jersey, autographed team balls from the East and West Division All-Stars and a signed photo from Midwest League ERA champion Kenn Kasparek.

Some photos from the event:

Tamargo speaks to LumberKings Nation for the first time 

General Manager Ted Tornow

Clinton Baseball Club Executive Board President Paul Schnack

Myself, the Emcee

Assistant GM Nate Kreinbrink

Friends of Riverview Stadium Vice President Judy Dennis

Clinton Mayor Rodger Holm

Director of Operations Mitch Butz and his favorite signed photo of Cheyne Hann.

Thanks once again to all who helped with this year’s Hot Stove Banquet, including the City of Clinton Parks Department, G. Baker Distributing/PepsiCola, Hy-Vee Catering, OfficeMax of Clinton, the Clinton County Community Development Association, Vision Iowa, the Wild Rose Casino and Resort and Wolfe Beverage Company/Miller Brewing Company.

-DL