Belmont University baseball looks to get its season off to a memorable start this year with the annual Bruin banquet. Head Coach Dave Jarvis is pleased to announce that former Major League player and manager Ray Knight will serve as this year’s featured speaker. The banquet will be held on Friday, February 10th at 6:00 pm in the Neely Black and White Dining Hall on Belmont’s campus.
Knight, known best for scoring the game-winning run in Game Six of the 1986 World Series, also hit the decisive homerun in the Mets’ Game Seven triumph over the Boston Red Sox. He hit .391 in the series with five runs batted in and was named World Series MVP.
The Georgia native batted a career .271 for five teams over 13 major league seasons. Aside from his World Series MVP, Knight received the Babe Ruth Award for the National League and the 1986 Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award. He also holds the distinction of being the only Cincinnati Red ever to homer twice in the same inning.
Some of Knight’s notable teammates include Johnny Bench, Dwight Gooden, Ken Griffey, Sr., Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, Jr., Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, and Don Sutton. Several other of Knight’s teammates joined the managerial ranks as well; including Larry Bowa, Ron Gardenhire, Phil Garner, Art Howe, Clint Hurdle, and Lee Mazzilli.
Upon retirement, Knight compiled a 125-137 record in two-plus seasons as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
Knight, husband of legendary LPGA golfer Nancy Lopez, also caddied for a brief time following his standout baseball career.
“To have someone with Ray Knight’s experience, background and reputation as our guest speaker is something we are extremely excited about and honored by. It will be something that our players will always remember,” noted Jarvis.
The banquet will also feature a silent auction, which includes two tickets to this year’s MLB All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, Pa. on July 11. Tickets to the event are $25, and reservations must be made with Jehan Khan by February 5. Khan may be reached by phone at 615-460-6854, or by e-mail at khanj@mail.belmont.edu.
