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The International League named Steve Balboni, Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr to the I.L. Hall of Fame via an announcement on their website.

As minor league fans we remember Boggs and Ripken as participants in the longest game ever played. From April 18th to 19th of 1981 at McCoy Stadium in Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Red Sox beat the Rochester Red Wings by a score of 3 to 2 in 33 innnigs. You may also remember that former Ironpig skipper Dave Huppert caught the majority of those 33 innings.

Of course Boggs and Ripken went on to more distinguished Major League careers than Hupper did. While Balboni had a great career on his own, including a World Series ring in 1985, I alway have just enjoyed saying his name.

So here is the full announcement – IL Website

The International League announced today that Steve Balboni, Wade Boggs, and Cal Ripken, Jr., will be inducted into the
circuit’s Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2011. All three players starred in the International League during the
early 1980’s, and they now comprise the first Class elected to the IL Hall by a vote of current Hall of Fame members,
along with longtime executives, broadcasters, and members of the media.
It was thirty years ago that Wade Boggs of Pawtucket was the IL batting champion, Steve Balboni of Columbus was the
home run king, and Cal Ripken, Jr. of Rochester was the IL Rookie of the Year. The contributions and accomplishments
of each player were recognized by voters who elected the trio to the IL Hall of Fame as the Class of 2011.
Columbus Baseball Hall of Famer Steve Balboni slugged 92 home runs in three seasons with the Clippers. He led
Columbus to the 1981 Governors’ Cup with a League-best 33 long balls and 98 RBI. He nearly matched those numbers
the next year in just 83 games before a promotion to the Yankees, again pacing the IL in home runs with 32. He went
deep 27 more times in 1983 to establish the Clippers all-time home run record. A former International League All-Star,
“Bye Bye” Balboni is the only man in League history to homer twice in one inning on two separate occasions.
Wade Boggs narrowly missed winning consecutive IL batting titles during an amazing two-year stint with the Pawtucket
Red Sox. In 1980, the 22-year-old Boggs lost the batting race on the season’s final day by a fraction of a point, but a year
later he improved his average from .306 to .335 to win the title. Boggs went on to win five American League batting
crowns, and in 2005 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Rounding out the Class of 2011 is another National Baseball Hall of Famer in Cal Ripken, Jr. Baseball’s future “Iron
Man” enjoyed a stellar season playing third base for the Rochester Red Wings in 1981. He slammed 23 home runs, and of
course did not miss any of the team’s 114 games prior to an August call to Baltimore. In 1982 Ripken joined the Orioles
full-time, following up his IL Rookie of the Year Award with American League Rookie of the Year honors. He played in
every game from May 30, 1982 to September 20, 1998, establishing an all-time record of 2,632 consecutive games
played.
The IL Hall of Fame, established in 1947, was dormant from 1964 until the League’s 125th Anniversary season in 2008.
Following a three-year transition period (2008-10) in which a total of 50 individuals were inducted after having been
selected by a committee, the Class of 2011 was the first chosen by what will continue to serve as the annual election
process moving forward. Each year the top three vote-getters who also receive a vote on the majority of ballots returned
will be elected.
Members of the Class of 2011 have been added to the International League Hall of Fame plaque display. The inductees
will be presented with “The Curtain Call” statue during individual enshrinement ceremonies to take place during the
coming season. The IL Hall of Fame plaque display does not have a permanent home, but rather serves as a traveling
testament to the storied legacy of the International League.
Complete statistical data and biographical information on all 104 members of the IL Hall of Fame, along with a copy of
the International League Hall of Fame policies, procedures, and guidelines are available at http://www.ILBaseball.com.

This morning I read a nice article on how Bison are being migrated around in small herds to somewhere in Montana. It was a nice story, trying to reestablish a breed of animal slaughtered so many years ago. Almost as interesting as those folks trying to reanimate a live mammoth from DNA.

Then I saw the announcement from the Buffalo Bison of our very own International League. It was announced that former 2nd Baseman Tim Teufel will take the reins of the team as manager in 2011. Good for him, good for the Bison and, hey, good for us too. Teufel had managed the AA affiliate for the Mets in Binghamton in 2010.

Teufel spent 1983 to 1993 in the Major Leagues with the Twins, Mets and Padres. I mainly remember him as the platooned 2nd baseman for the 86 Mets, the other half being Wally Backman. Hopefully, Teufel doesn’t have as much on his plate to distract from managerial duties as Backman did in 2004 where he was selected to be the Diamondback’s manager only to be fired shortly after the press leaked information of Backman’s financial and legal troubles. Enough of that… I’m not posting about Wally Backman although he may have had something to do with me naming my dog “Wally.” One of those names that just sticks in your head I guess.

So the tale of the Bison turns into a tale of two former 2nd baseman. Our own Ryne Sandberg vs. Tim Teufel. Sounds like an on field promotion if I ever heard one!

Really, it will be good to see another familiar name here at The Coke. Good times in only 76 days!

OinK!

It appears the Ironpig’s are seeking to increase their social media fanbase. Let’s help them out!

To follow the Pigs on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=79394292806&ref=ts#!/LHVIronPigs
To follow the Pigs on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com @IronPigs

Share with your friends!

OinK!

Ozzie Chavez, who hit .219 in 55 games with the Ironpigs last season, signed with the Chicago White Sox.

Chavez and shortstop Brian Bocock centered a shaky Ironpig infield last year turning 44 double plays for the 2010 season.

OinK!

The fifth bobblehead of the 2011 has not been announced yet..

The Ironpigs have released their promotion schedule for 2011! Among them will be a proclaimed record 5 bobbleheads!

I don’t know if you all can remember how I feel about bobbleheads… so to remind you… I think it is wonderful for the organization to have give aways. It is nice. They don’t have to but they do. Myself, I could live without them. I wish other adults shared my feelings on that. Over the past 3 years I have witnessed tantrums from people aged 20 to 60 throwing a fit of rage that would make a 5 year old proud. All because they didn’t get a bobblehead. Leave the toys for the children. Anyways, today is a good day and I’m moving on.

The first four bobbleheads will honor Dave Huppert’s replacement Ryne Sandberg. In a comparison of popularity.. we never had a Huppert bobblehead.

There will also be bobbleheads of Harry Kalas, prospect Domonic Brown and another honoring the efforts of the Dancing Dirt Dudes groundscrew team which is being billed as a “chia” bobblehead. Very interesting. The 5th and final bobblehead will be named at a later date. Any thoughts of who you’d like to see as a bobblehead?

Special for frequent reader ‘redforkhippie’, the Ryne Sandberg bobblehead will be given out on April 26th.

I usually enjoy the distractions from losing baseball. Hopefully in 2011 the distractions will be pushed to the side of winning baseball.

OinK!

Full Article can be found at : http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110119&content_id=16459312&vkey=news_t1410&fext=.jsp&sid=t1410

Or below

Innovative one-of-a-kind promotions – including bobbleheads of new IronPigs Manager Ryne Sandberg, legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas and Phillies top prospect Domonic Brown – highlight the IronPigs preliminary promotional schedule and weekly specials for the 2011 season. The 72-game home slate once again includes the Friday Night Fireworks Series as part of 16 total fireworks experiences; an overabundance of unique giveaway and theme nights; and appearances by the world-famous Phillie Phanatic and other high-profile live entertainment acts. Additionally, the IronPigs will continue to add and announce additional promotions prior to Opening Day.

“It’s an incredible feeling to witness a promotional calendar of this magnitude come to fruition,” exclaimed IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. “From Day One our goal was to reward our season ticket holders and loyal fans with novel and inventive promotions and giveaways that can’t be found anywhere else. Bar none, this is the best promotional schedule in Minor League Baseball!”

The 2011 season begins on Thursday, April 7, against the rival Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees with one of the IronPigs most-anticipated giveaways of all-time, the first-ever Coca-Cola Park Stadium Replica. The season opening celebrations continue throughout the weekend with Friday Night Fireworks (Friday, April 8), an appearance by the World Famous Phillie Phanatic (Saturday, April 9 and a Pork Racer Fleece Blanket giveaway (Sunday, April 10) that will coincide with the fourth annual “Bark in the Park” promotion. An additional “Bark in the Park” is scheduled for Monday, June 13, and features an IronPigs bandana giveaway for the first 3,500 fans.

A staple of IronPigs baseball since 2008, Friday Night Fireworks returns in 2011 and will follow every Friday night home game all season long. The IronPigs will celebrate Independence Day with back-to-back fireworks displays including a 3-D fireworks extravaganza on July 3. Another notable show is slated for Saturday, Sept. 3, following the final regular season game of the year and all of the other Fan Appreciation Day activities.

The IronPigs will give away a franchise-record five bobbleheads in 2011, beginning Tuesday, April 26, with a keepsake of baseball Hall of Famer and new IronPigs manager, Ryne Sandberg. Other bobbleheads include Phillies legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas (May 16) and Phillies top prospect and former IronPigs OF Domonic Brown (June 27). Staying true to the club’s goal of remaining as one of the most inventive teams in Minor League Baseball, the IronPigs will unveil a Dancing Dirt Dudes “Chia” bobblehead on Monday, May 2. The final bobblehead giveaway of the season is slated for Tuesday, July 26 and will be announced at a later date.

Theme Nights make their anticipated return and include Irish Heritage Night (April 20), Heroes Nights (April 7 and April 28), Dance Team Nights (April 19 and May 2), Faith Nights (May 14, June 23 and July 26) and Football Night (August 31) among others.

Several first-time giveaway items are scheduled for the 2011 season, such as a FeRROUS Replica Van giveaway (April 18), Bethlehem Steel Skyline Cap giveaway (April 28) in tribute to the area’s rich industrial history, IronPigs Oven Mitts (May 1), IronPigs Sweatbands (June 8), a FeRROUS Bobblehead Picture Frame (June 14), an IronPigs Beach Bag on the first day of summer (June 21), a FeRROUS and FeFe “Back to School” 3-Ring Binder (July 27) and a FeRROUS & FeFe Bank (Aug.14). Also new for 2011 is a Pink Jersey Purse Giveaway in celebration of Mother’s Day (May 15) and a Fan Vote T-shirt Giveaway on Sunday, August 28.

A number of other great promotional keepsakes are slated for the upcoming season, including an IronPigs Adult Cap Giveaway (April 19), Reusable Grocery Bags (April 21), IronPigs Youth Caps (May 22), Team Photo Giveaway and Autograph Session (June 7), an IronPigs Golf Visor in recognition of a belated Father’s Day (June 20), 2012 Magnet Schedules (August 29) and a high-quality 2012 Wall Calendar (August 30).

In addition to a pair of appearances by the Phillie Phanatic, the Team Ghost Riders and the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo will make their first-ever Coca-Cola Park appearance on Saturday, July 30. This incredibly unique act has been featured on America’s Funniest Home Videos as well as in Sports Illustrated. More information on this one-of-a-kind act is available at http://www.teamghostriders.com.

Also returning in 2011 is “Battlefield Challenge” – recently voted Minor League Baseball’s best in-game promotion. During all home games from June 7 through June 14, the actual playing field at Coca-Cola Park will be divided into six battle zones which the IronPigs and their opponent will try to gain control of in an effort to conquer the entire playing surface. If Lehigh Valley controlled all six zones at any point, all fans in attendance will be rewarded with a sizeable discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages available at all concessions stands.

Regular starting times remain identical with 2010 as Saturday starting times remain at 6:35 p.m. Monday through Friday games remain predominately scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The only exceptions are for Education Day #1 on April 12 (10:35 a.m.), Education Day #2 on May 3 (10:35 a.m.), Education Day #3 on May 24 (10:35 a.m.) and Camp Day on July 28 (11:05 a.m.). Sunday games are scheduled for 1:35 p.m. through June 26, 6:35 p.m. for July 3 and 5:35 p.m. from July 24 until the end of the regular season.

Single-game tickets for the 2011 season go on sale during the club’s annual National Pig Day festivities at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday, February 26 at 9 a.m. Single-game tickets can also be purchased at ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447) beginning on Feb. 26.

To renew or order season tickets and mini plans for the 2011 IronPigs season presented by Capital BlueCross, call (610) 841-PIGS or visit Coca-Cola Park’s ticket office during normal business hours. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are dedicated to providing family-friendly entertainment and are the only Minor League team to offer bubbles to fans entering the AT&T Plaza and balloons for all children exiting Coca-Cola Park.

The preliminary promotional schedule (subject to change) is listed below.

Weekly Promotions:
Tuesdays: TD Bank Ballpark Bingo.
Thursdays: Ladies Night presented by Mezza Luna featuring discounts and giveaways!
Fridays: Friday Night Fireworks.
Saturdays: Shake, Rattle & Pork Roll Happy Hour Concert Series (4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) featuring food and drink specials in the AT&T Plaza.
Sundays: Tootsee the Clown and Friends appearance featuring three hours of free balloon animals for kids! Also post-game, Kids Run the Bases presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Nightly Promotions:

April 7 (7:05 pm) – Coca-Cola Park Stadium Replica giveaway, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Heroes Night #1
April 8 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
April 9 (6:35 pm) – 2011 Magnet Schedule giveaway (First 5,000 fans) / World Famous Phillie Phanatic appearance
April 10 (1:35 pm) – Dog Day # 1 (Bring Your Dog to the Park) / Pork Racer Fleece Blanket giveaway, Nestle Purina PetCare Mighty Dog (First 2,000 youth 17 and under and Dog Owners)
April 11 (7:05 p.m.) – Karate Night
April 12 (10:35 am) – Education Day #1
April 18 (7:05 pm) – FeRROUS Replica Van giveaway, ServiceMark (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
April 19 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Adult Cap giveaway, Harvey Building Products (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Dance Team Night #1
April 21 (7:05 pm) – Reusable Grocery Bag giveaway, PPL EnergyPlus (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Carbon Neutral Gas Night
April 26 (7:05 pm) – Ryan Sandberg Bobblehead giveaway, Coca-Cola (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)/ Karate Night
April 28 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Bethlehem Steel Skyline Cap giveaway, TD Bank (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Heroes Night #2
April 29 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
April 30 (6:35 p.m.) – College Dance Team Night
May 1 (1:35 pm) – IronPigs Oven Mitts giveaway, National MS Society (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
May 2 (7:05 pm) – Dancing Dirt Dudes “Chia” Bobblehead giveaway (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Dance Team Night #2
May 3 (10:35 am) – Education Day #2 presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network
May 13 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Coors Light
May 14 (6:35 pm) – Faith Night
May 15 (1:35 pm) – Pink Jersey Purse giveaway (First 2,000 women 18 and older) / Red Hatter Day
May 16 (7:05 pm) – Harry Kalas Bobblehead giveaway (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Harry Kalas Tribute Night
May 22 (1:35 pm) – IronPigs Youth Cap giveaway, Capital BlueCross (First 2,000 youth 17 and under) / 4-H Agricultural Night
May 24 (10:35 am) – Education Day #3 presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network
May 27 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
May 28 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks
June 7 (7:05 pm) – Team Photo giveaway & Autograph Session, People First Federal Credit Union / (First 3,500 fans) / Battlefield Challenge Begins
June 8 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Wristbands giveaway, AAA – East Penn (2,000 youth 17 and under) / Safety Patrol Night
June 9 (7:05 p.m.) – Health Fair Night presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network
June 10 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by The Crayola Factory
June 13 (7:05 pm) – Dog Day # 2 (Bring Your Dog to the Park) / IronPigs Bandana giveaway, Nestle Purina PetCare ALPO (First 3,500 fans)
June 14 (7:05 pm) – FeRROUS Bobblehead Picture Frame giveaway, Air Products (First 2,000 youth 17 and under) / Battlefield Challenge Ends
June 20 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Fathers Day Golf Visor giveaway, Lutron (First 2,000 men 18 and over)
June 21 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Beach Bag giveaway, Phoebe Ministries (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
June 22 (7:05 pm) – World Famous Phillie Phanatic Appearance
June 23 (7:05 pm) – Faith Night
June 24 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by TD Bank / Girl Scouts Sleepover
June 27 (7:05 pm) – Domonic Brown Bobblehead giveaway, Nacci Printing (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
July 2 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks presented by Coors Light
July 3 (6:35 pm) – 3-D Fireworks presented by AT&T (3-D glasses for first 7,000 fans)
July 14 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Rally Towels (First 5,000 fans) / “White Out” Night
July 15 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Pennsylvania Lottery / Boy Scouts Sleepover
July 22 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
July 24 (5:35 pm) – IronPigs Replica Jersey, Coca-Cola (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
July 26 (7:05 pm) – TBA Bobblehead giveaway, Lehigh Valley Health Network (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
July 27 (7:05 pm) – FeRROUS & FeFe “Back to School” 3-Ring Binder giveaway, The Morning Call (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
July 28 (11:05 am) – Camp Day
July 29 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Greenstar Recycling
July 30 (6:35 pm) – Cowboy Monkey Rodeo performance by Team Ghost Riders (For more info visit http://www.teamghostriders.com)
August 12 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Phoebe Ministries
August 13 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks
August 14 (5:35 pm) – FeRROUS & FeFe Baseball Bank giveaway, Toyota (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
August 15 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs “Man Cave” giveaway
August 28 (5:35 pm) – Fan Vote T-Shirt giveaway, Capital BlueCross (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
August 29 (7:05 pm) – 2012 Magnet Schedule giveaway, Sacred Heart Hospital (First 5,000 fans)
August 30 (7:05 pm) – 2012 Wall Calendar, Nacci Printing (First 7,000 adults 18 and over)
August 31 (7:05 pm) – Football Night
September 2 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
September 3 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks / Fan Appreciation Night

As there hasn’t been much baseball news this weekend, I’m going to talk about food for today.

In my pursuit of obtaining recipes from current and former Ironpigs, I ran into a blog run by the sister of a former Pig and I really enjoyed what she wrote.

Check it out if you get the chance.

http://www.cookinupdreams.com/2011/01/my-first-giveaway.html?spref=fb

This may be old news to some of you all, but I found out about it tonight…

The Lehigh Valley shrugged when the Outlaws indoor football team folded last year. I never attended a game but was curious about it. If a hockey arena is added to the Lehigh Valley I would imagine the indoor football team would follow suit and play there too.

I heard tonight that a new team has joined the Indoor Football League and will call its home Stabler Arena. The team’s name is Steel Hawks. Yeah, really. Maybe they spelled “Steel” from from its suggestive similarity to our beloved Ironpigs. It’s not the first time a team went along with an established team in the same city. The Chicago Bears were named as a larger and meaner version of the Chicago Cubs and before moving to San Francisco, New York had a football and baseball team named the Giants.

Anyways, football returns to the Lehigh Valley. Checking out the Wikipedia version of the team I found out the team is owned by Glenn Clark and will be led by head coach Richard Britt. The team will have 7 home games between February 26th and May 28th. (Something else to do before the Ironpigs start their season) Their two division foes will be the Reading Express and Richmond Revolution. Seeing this makes me smile as I’ve known the starting center for the Revolution since his high school days and remember the tailgate parties as we attended Richmond Spider games when they came within driving distance of the area.

The Steel Hawks do have a website – http://www.lvsteelhawks.com There is ticketing information, etc etc. Basic stuff a team has on their website. They also have a nice video of their dance team.

So we now have another team to root for.

What are your thoughts? Do you think a successful football franchise will help the powers to be to fund construction of the “hockey” arena? Do you think this team will stick around longer than the Outlawz?

We’ll see…

OinK!

DeWayne Wise will join Mike Cervenak as he signed a contract with the Marlins.

The Oakland A’s traded Service Electric 2’s Ryan Kelly to the Rangers for Guillermo Moscoso.. wait, different Ryan Kelly.

That’s all for now folks!

OinK!

It’s no secret that we’ve been working hard all winter to get a cook book together. Many folks have submitted recipes and we’ve got the book is just about ready.

Recipes have been sent in by:
Scott Mathieson
Andy and Tiffany Tracy
Mike Cervenak
Bubba Bell
Jessica Williams (of the National Pro Fastpitch softball league)

We have been promised recipes from many other Ironpigs and their families and the book is really coming together.

The help we need now is to find sponsors for the book. We have opened up close to 30 pages for advertising and so far we’ve got one.. yes ONE concerned and caring sponsor to help us publish this book. That business is already listed on this site as a sponsor and all ads would include an ad on the Horn and Bell for the 2011 season.

To rehash on WHY we are creating this cook book I have copied part of the letter from the charity we are raising funds for:

On behalf of the National Brain Tumor Society, thanks to you and the group Noise Nation for choosing to host a fundraising event in which your cookbook sales will go to support our programs. As an organization supported entirely by private and individual donations, the National Brain Tumor Society relies on the generosity of people like you to bring our services to the members of the brain tumor community.

National Brain Tumor Society is a nonprofit 501c3 organization bringing together the best of research and patient services to be a comprehensive resource for patients, caregivers, researchers, and medical professionals. To learn more about the National Brain Tumor Society, visit our website at http://www.braintumor.org. All donations made directly to NBTS are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

If you know of any businesses or groups that would like an ad in our cook book, please let us know.

If you would like to personally make a contribution to the cost of printing, please let us know.

editor@lvnoisenation.com

Please help us help the National Brain Tumor Society find a cure for this terrible disease. We’re trying to do something good here…