Pitch & Hit Club to honor Gossage, La Russa, Miles
Two Major League Baseball legends will be honored at the 67th Pitch & Hit Club’s awards banquet this month, along with a bevy of award winners that include Daily Herald baseball writer Bruce Miles and Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, a native of Chicago.
Hall of Famer Richard “Goose” Gossage and longtime manager Tony La Russa will be among the feature guests for the annual fundraising dinner, which supports several local baseball charities.
Gossage and La Russa will be honored at Lou Boudreau Hall of Fame inductees. Rizzo will receive the Major League Executive of the Year award, and broadcaster Milo Hamilton will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Miles, who has covered the Cubs for the Daily Herald since 1998 and Major League Baseball since 1989, will receive the Bill Gleason Sportswriter of the Year Award from the Pitch & Hit Club.
“That’s an incredible lineup for a baseball banquet, and Bruce is in some great company,” said Daily Herald Sports Editor Tom Quinlan. “He has great passion and commitment to covering the beat, and we’re honored that others in the baseball industry recognize his talent.”
The banquet will take place Sunday at The Carlisle, 425 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard. A reception begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and awards at 6:30 p.m. Tom Shaer will be the emcee, with music throughout the evening by organist Nancy Faust.
Tickets ($75 for members, $100 for nonmembers) must be purchased by Wednesday. Tickets will not be available at the door. For tickets, contact Bridget Venturi Veenema at bventuri@aol.com.
Gossage was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008 after 22 seasons pitching for nine different teams, including four seasons with the White Sox and one with the Cubs.
La Russa retired in 2011, finishing third overall in career managerial wins and winning three championships in a remarkable 33-year career with the White Sox, Athletics and Cardinals.
Other award winners to be honored include:
Chicago Area MLB Player of the Year: George Kontos, San Francisco Giants
Minor League Manager of the Year: Mike Pinto, Southern Illinois Miners
Amateur Coach of the Year: Wayne King, Joliet Junior College
Mary Frances Veeck Woman of the Year: Amy Mason, Kane County Cougars
Nick Kamzic Scout of the Year: Terry Sullivan, Boston Red Sox
Paul Dizzy Trout Ambassador Award: Tyrone Brooks, Pittsburgh Pirates
College Player of the Year: Luke Andrade, Joliet Junior College
Bo Jackson Courage Award: James Fuller, Niles North High School
Len DiForte Amateur Baseball Service Award: Bill Slight. Wheaton White Sox
Chicago Area Minor League Player of the Year: Mike Foltynewicz, Astros
Chicago Baseball Museum Jerome Holtzman Award: Paul Dickson
Minor League Executive of the Year: Josh Olerud, Potomac Nationals
Charlie Hum Club Service Award: Dave and Debbie Cook, Hoosier Bat
President’s: Rich & Marty Del Boccio