Nervousness...
That is how I can best describe myself preparing to head down to the Chuck Tanner Banquet Awards. The Suits and Ties, the Dresses and Heels.. all of it there, with a lot of higher profile folks from within the Baseball industry locally and nationally.
How out of place would I be?
On paper, the answer to that question is "very". However, as soon as I handed my coat off, I felt a sense of relief. I looked around, saw all of these people in the same venue as me and comfort started to sink in. They didn't know who I was, for all they knew, I was someone important. I had a suit on, the lovely Kim from Baseball and Bling was standing next to me, working out her nervousness.. we were a couple of bloggers that looked as important as most everyone else.
First things first, you can't walk around a place like this without a drink in your hand. The man needs a beer, the woman needs a glass of wine. You simply look more important this way. If Jim Leyland can carry around a beer, dagnabbit... so can I !! After buying raffle tickets and displacing them in baskets that there was no way of winning, due to luck, it was off to the bar.
While walking around, the eyes are always on alert. You're trying to see who is who. "Is that?" I'd ask. "Do you think that is?", Kim would ask. In a way it was like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles walking around, but that is what makes it exciting; The experience for the first time.
Dale's iPhone 12.04.14 232.jpgNext on the agenda was an art revealing by the well known sports artist, Kevin John - http://www.kevin-john.com/. His piece of Art this year was a drawing of former Pittsburgh Pirates great - Dick Groat . Dick Groat, was a member of the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series team. He won the NL MVP in 1960 as well. For those who would like to know more about Dick Groat , you can click on his name and it will take you to his Players stats page at Baseball Reference for more detailed reference.
It was like an Art Gallery presentation. They had the Art Work covered behind a black cloth and then the big unveiling to the sounds of camera clicks and everyone with a phone tapping away! It was a fabulous drawing in which each of us received a personalized signed lithograph of.
While in the room for the art unveiling, we walked around and looked at all of the Auction Prizes that were displayed. Some were a little pricey, some were actually reasonable. There were certainly a lot to choose from if auctions are your thing! As the glancing through auction items continued I noticed out of the side of my eye, a man I grew up watching, arguing with umpires, and with Barry Bonds during Spring Training - Jim Leyland. Once John Chamberlain, our gracious friend who provided the invite for the banquet and runs the well known blog - YaJagoff! caught wind he provided an introduction to Jim Leyland!
It was interview time.. and photo opportunity time!
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Once that was done and the lithograph was signed, it was time to get seated and prepare for the dinner ceremonies. There was plenty on the agenda for the night, MC'd by 93.7FM - The Fan's Dan Zangrilli with other introductions made by various folks including Joe Klimchak who has become synonymous with Pittsburgh Pirates commercials, PNC Park promotional's and presentations. Here was the order of presentations :
- Chuck Tanner MLB Manager of the year Award presented by Jim Leyland to Baltimore Orioles Manager, Buck Showalter.
- Lifetime achievement Award presented by Kent Tekulve to Dick Groat.
- Distinguished Women in Baseball Award presented by Sally O'Leary to Katy Fenney who is in her 27th in MLB currently as MLB's Senior VP of scheduling and club relations.
- Chuck Tanner Collegiate Baseball Manager of the Year award presented by Seton Hill's, Mark Marizzaldi to Joe Spano of Mercyhurst College
- Chuck Tanner Memorial Award presented to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Josh Harrison who accepted the award via a pre-recorded acceptance video.
- Recognition of the Chuck Tanner selection committee member Sam Reich, who hosts "Reich Memories of Old Time Baseball" on KQV 1410AM.
- Closing remarks by the chair of the Chuck Tanner Banquet Committee - Mike Smith.
Let's also not forget that our friend John Chamberlain from YaJagoff! had the fun job of doing Auctions in between presentations. It's still unknown whether or not he was wearing a bracelet around his ankle for display but if a picture shows up on the internet, I'd blame the other blogger...
Dale's iPhone 12.04.14 209.jpgDinner was an interesting endeavor. It began with a salad that included some sort of mushroom centerpiece on the dish. I suppose it depends on how much you like mushrooms, is how much you would like this salad! For me, the mushrooms were cooked so well that I couldn't taste them. Which worked out perfectly because I'm generally not a fan of fungus, but I was ready and willing that night to try anything! The dinner plate consisted of shrimp wrapped in bacon! If you like fish and are a man... this was heavenly! Since my fellow blogging sidekick, Kim didn't like shrimp, yours truly ended up with a couple extra pieces!
Score!
Served on the dinner plate along with the shrimp were slices of ham, a Quiche , carrots and some fine cut pieces of pineapple that looked like corn.
What seemed like it should've been a long dinner and presentation of awards was actually over much quicker than I thought. This provided a chance to possibly get some more photo opportunities and interviews. With that said, it was time to find Kent Tekeluve! For a man recovering from a Heart Transplant, he looked great and sounded great. I got the feeling from him that he could've hung around and talked longer but the man is recovering!
Before the night ended there was a quick chance to swipe some photo opportunities with Buck Showalter and former Pittsburgh Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy!
Dale's iPhone 12.04.14 278.jpgKevin McClatchy? Kipper? Together? ... and the Universe didn't even explode! Many know that I've largely been critical of Kevin McClatchy as an owner, not so much for his work in saving baseball from leaving Pittsburgh but with how he ran the team. His decision to insert himself as President of Baseball operations while having zero knowledge of the sport, helped handicap this franchise for the duration of his Ownership. Yet, when it came time to snap a photo with him, none of that mattered. Amazing how that works sometimes?!
It truly was a great night and a great even for Western Pennsylvania, something that more folks should try to take part in to celebrate this areas players and coaches and those nationally that are well respected. When 2015 arrives don't hesitate to take part in this banquet and if you do ... Remember that the Elevator on Floor 2 is closed after 9pm on Saturday.. That's way too much extra walking, especially in heels if you are in heels like Kim! ... or a Suit and Tie like me!
Thanks for telling about your experience at this banquet, it sounded like an excellent night. I would have loved a chance to meet Dick Groat and Teke. Chatting with Jim Leyland would have been interesting....after getting him three sheets to the wind
