The Williamsport Crosscutters’ Hot Stove League Banquet, held recently, was a night of baseball, recognition, and charity — and may have been a way to chase away the chilly winter blues.

The event was highlighted with an appearance by Montoursville’s National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Mussina, as well as ESPN commentator Tim Kurkjian, Phillies third base coach, and former Cutters’ manager Dusty Wathan.

Before the banquet, I talked to Mussina and asked him about his unproductive professional debut with the Hagerstown Suns at Bowman Field against the Williamsport Bills in July 1990.

“I remember I was supposed to make my professional debut at Bowman Field against the Williamsport Bills in July 1990. I had all kinds of family and friends there, and I was a little nervous,” Mussina told me. “The game started, and torrential rains came down in the second inning, and they were unable to go further with the game. The next day, there was another big rain. I ended up having two professional debuts. The next one, which was able to be played, was in Canton against Canton-Akron. I might be the only guy to have two professional debuts.”

He continued, “I was scouted by several teams. The Orioles drafted me out of high school, but I wanted to get an education, so I went to Stanford on a scholarship. We had some good teams when I was there. We played in the College World Series in 1990 — losing out to Georgia. I was the first-round draft pick by the Orioles and signed after graduation.”

He was asked who the Oriole teammates were he seemed to get along with the most, and he answered, “Brady Anderson, Cal Ripken Jr., and Mike Flanagan, though he hung out the most with his fellow Oriole pitchers.

He described what a thrill it was to pitch in the game that Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game record.

“I had the privilege and thrill of pitching in the game where Cal Ripen broke the consecutive games played record by Lou Gehrig. That was quite a thrill,” stated Musina. “I gave up a homer early and was afraid it might wreck Cal’s big night, but he hit a homer, and we went ahead and went on to win the game. It was an electric atmosphere that night.”

Speaking with ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian before the banquet, Kurkjian acknowledged with great sadness he felt at the passing of “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker.

“I was devastated when I heard that Bob Uecker had died. I actually cried. He was the greatest goodwill ambassador that baseball has ever had. I don’t know of anyone who was more beloved than him. He was also the funniest guy I ever met. There was never a dull moment with him around. It was always a pleasure to be around him,” stated Kurkjian.

He added, “I spoke at the Brewers’ winter baseball banquet about 20 years ago, and Bob was emcee, and he warmed up the crowd for me. He was howlingly funny. It was awful tough to follow him. I think he and Joe Garagiola are the two most decorated and notable second-string catchers of all time. They were both always very entertaining.”

Current Phillies third base coach and former Cutters’ manager, Dusty Wathan also spoke. He told an amusing anecdote about Hall of Famer George Brett. Dusty’s father, John, was a catcher with the Royals, he volunteered to babysit Dusty when Dusty’s parents wanted to go out for dinner. He said when they came home, they found Dusty wandering around and, Brett asleep on the couch, and a couple of pizza boxes lying around. He said he doesn’t think they ever used Brett again as a babysitter.

He said it is always his task as a third base coach to protect the runners and take any heat for them whether they score on a play or not.

Additionally, at the banquet, the late Tom Dempsey, former State Representative from the 83rd District, was inducted into the Bowman Field Hall of Fame. He was honored for his efforts in obtaining more than $1.5 million in state grant money to renovate Bowman Field. This effort probably saved professional baseball at Bowman Field as well as extended its life as a viable playing venue. Dempsey’s daughter, Cheryl, accepted the honor on behalf of her father and noted how her parents gained great pleasure in attending games at Bowman Field.

The Williamsport Sports Walk was given another honoree when Bill Reifsnyder, who was ranked the #2 road racer in the world in 1991 and was a two-time American Marathon champion — winning the title in 1989 and 1990 — was honored for his achievements.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefited Lycoming County United Way, which was presented with a check for $15,225.