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Broadcaster keynote speaker for Dawgs

A man who plied his trade wearing the tools of ignorance, certainly knows a thing or two about the grand old game.
Okotoks Dawg Kellen Marruffo (hugging coach Jon Talley) will receive the team’ s 2016 MVP Award at the Dawgs 10th annual banquet Jan. 28 at the Foothills Centennial
Okotoks Dawg Kellen Marruffo (hugging coach Jon Talley) will receive the team’ s 2016 MVP Award at the Dawgs 10th annual banquet Jan. 28 at the Foothills Centennial Centre.

A man who plied his trade wearing the tools of ignorance, certainly knows a thing or two about the grand old game.

Former major league catcher Buck Martinez, now a broadcaster for Toronto Blue Jays games with Sportsnet, is the guest speaker at the Okotoks Dawgs 10th annual banquet this Saturday at the Foothills Centennial Centre.

Martinez was part of the famed Blues Jays catching platoon-duo with Ernie Whitt in the 1980s. He handled such legendary Jays pitchers as David Stieb, Jim Clancy, Jimmy Key and others.

Martinez also had a stint as Jays manager in 2001 and 2002.

His playing career may be best remembered for when he broke his leg on a play in which he tagged out two Seattle Mariners for a double play in July, 1985.

The now broadcaster has also turned to the pen.

He recently wrote the best-seller Change Up: How to Make the Great Game of Baseball Even Better. Although listening to tales of Blue Jays lore is worth the price of admission, the real highlight is honouring the players with the Okotoks Dawgs organization.

The organization will give out the hardware for the 2016 Okotoks Dawgs, a team that finished first overall in the Western Major Baseball League regular season.

The award recipients are: MVP, Kellen Marruffo, 1B, .378 BA, 6 HR, 32 RBI; Rookie of the Year — Michael Gretler, .331, 4, 36; True Grit Award — Brendan Rose, .359, 1, 17; Pitchers of the Year, C.J. Lewington, 6-0 (W-L), 2.83 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and Anthony Balderas, 4-0, .085 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 2 saves.

The Dawgs will also be placing four more plaques onto its Wall of Fame at Seaman Stadium. They are builders Clint Fystro, William Gardner and Don Johnston. Also going in is one of the organization’s first coaches, Don McLeod, who is also a field maintenance guru.

The graduates of the Okotoks Dawgs Academy will also be recognized.

For ticket information to the banquet call 403-262-DAWG (3294) or go to dawgsbaseball.ca

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