Special thanks to my friends from the Williamsport Crosscutters. I was in the crowd for the 18th annual Hot Stove Banquet. It was a rather festive evening. A well-organized event. Great food and camaraderie. Tons of raffles, door prizes, and auctions. $10,000 went to the United Way. The Genetti was packed.
Gabe Sinicropi is the best in the business. I love his style. I always marvel at his energy. The VP of Marketing has a gift. Gabe would interview each guest throughout the evening. It was splendid. Ken Sawyer is a legend. He served as the MC. Ken and I go back many moons. He is so smooth. I was sitting front and center. Table 10 with the politicians. The bigwigs. Ken got on the mic before the program and gave us a few shouts. We are honored to have State Representative Jamie Flick with us tonight. Jamie stood. From Senator Yaw’s office- Elizabeth Vollman. Liz stood. This continued around the table. But I was skipped.
Williamsport’s Jake Kline was honored as the 2026 Williamsport Sports Walk Inductee. Kline coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Baseball team for 42 years. Incredible. Joseph Mosser was added to the Historic Bowman Field Hall of Fame. Mr. Mosser was a very successful local businessman and philanthropist who helped secure professional baseball in Billtown.
Ian Catherine has been a local broadcaster for many seasons. He is the official voice of the Williamsport Crosscutters. I was so happy that my friend got some love. Ian is fantastic at what he does. I enjoyed listening to Ian and Gabe’s back-and-forth. Catherine told the audience how he came up with a few of his lines. LUMBERJACKED and CARVE THE W. Ian is a passionate dude.
Ricky Bottalico and Domonic Brown were both former Phillies. Bottalico once pegged Barry Bonds in the leg, resulting in a bench-clearing brawl. Brown spent some time in Williamsport with the Cutters. He made the NL All-Star team in 2013. I remembered them both when they played. Bottalico and Brown were also great interviews. Again. The assist to Gabe. They still have ties to Philadelphia. Bottalico does some television and radio. Brown helps in player development.
Tim Kurkjian was my favorite. He stole the show. The longtime ESPN Baseball Analyst and Hall of Famer is so dang special. Tim is a walking baseball encyclopedia and more. He tells some amazing tales. Kurkjian is no stranger to Williamsport. He has helped with the Little League World Series and the MLB LL Classics. The Maryland native is also riding a six-year Hot Stove Banquet streak.
I had the opportunity to chat with Tim just before the event. Again. Major props to my man Gabe. I asked Tim a few questions and mentioned that I was a fan. Kurkjian was an outstanding interview. Super gentle and kind. The little guy loves his baseball, and I was moved by the knowledge he shared.
“My friend, Karl Ravesh, told me that Williamsport was going to be my favorite assignment,” Kurkjian explained. “I had my doubts. But when I got here. I agreed immediately. This town is outstanding. The Little League World Series is outstanding. It reminds me of a County Fair. The MLB LL Classics have only made it better. I enjoy seeing the interactions between the Little Leaguers and MLB players each year. They are so vested. It gets better every year. I look forward to coming back. So many great stories. Baseball heaven. So tell me more about this kayak?”
Tim was nice enough to sign my MLB Classic from a Kayak printout. He got a kick from me telling the story. Fantastic evening. Special thanks to Gabe S., Doug E., Billy G., and my new best friend, Tim. I had a blast at the 2026 Hot Stove Banquet. Cheers.
