Jan. 7, 2005

Charleston, SC - Former New York Yankee Bobby Richardson and current Anaheim Angel Dallas McPherson are scheduled to appear at the Charleston RiverDogs and The Citadel "Hot Stove Banquet" Presented by Extra Help Personnel Services on Friday, January 21.

The inaugural event will be held at The Citadel's Holliday Alumni Center.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a silent auction. At that time, members of the media will be invited to attend a special VIP meet-and-greet with Richardson and McPherson. The meet-and-greet will include a special press conference to introduce the 2005 Charleston RiverDogs manager.

The RiverDogs begin their first year as an affiliate of the New York Yankees having been aligned with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for several years.

Dinner will commence at 7:30 p.m. with Richardson and McPherson speaking shortly thereafter.

Originally from Sumter, Richardson spent 10 full seasons in the Major Leagues, all with the Yankees. He is a seven-time All-Star and was named Most Valuable Player of the 1960 World Series. In 1962, Richardson led the American League in hits and finished second in MVP voting. The three-time World Champion and five-time Gold Glove winner retired in 1966, and later took over the reigns as baseball coach at the University of South Carolina. McPherson, a former Citadel All-American, made his big league debut September 10 with the Angels. The 24-year-old was selected in the second round of the 2001 June Amateur Draft after batting .347 with 11 homers and 22 doubles for the Bulldogs. McPherson quickly worked his way through the Angels' farm system and was named the Minor League Player of the Year by several publications, including the Sporting News. He was Anaheim's starting third baseman during the American League Division Series, losing to the eventual World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. According to the Sporting News, McPherson enters the 2005 season as an early frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year.

RiverDogs President Mike Veeck and Chairman of the Board Marv Goldklang will also be on hand for the team's first formal event to celebrate the new affiliation with the Yankees.

Individual tickets are $40, and tables of eight may be reserved for $320. Dinner and participation in the silent auction are included in the price of admission.

Proceeds from the silent auction benefit the MUSC Storm Eye Institute and The Citadel Brigadier Foundation.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Jan. 10, at the Riley Park Box Office. Tickets may also be secured in advance by contacting the RiverDogs at (843) 723-7241.

The 2004 RiverDogs were the first Charleston baseball club to make the playoffs since 1988. The Citadel Bulldogs again won the Southern Conference Baseball Tournament in 2004. Both teams call beautiful Riley Park "home."

Extra Help Personnel Services is a full service employee placement agency located in North Charleston. Since 1996, Extra Help has specialized in the clerical, industrial, medicinal and food service fields. The company also has offices in Savannah, GA, Columbia and Greenville.