St. John's University Athletics
Aaron Boone to Headline Bullpen Winter Banquet
11/30/2023 11:59:00 AM | Baseball
New York Yankees’ skipper to chat with Red Storm Head Coach Mike Hampton and emcee C.J. Nitkowski, all of whom were selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1994 MLB Draft
QUEENS, N.Y. (Nov. 30, 2023) – New York Yankees' manager Aaron Boone will headline the St. John's baseball team's 17th annual Bullpen Winter Banquet on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Baseball alumni and supporters are invited to the Vista Sky Lounge and Penthouse Ballroom in Long Island City.
Boone, who took over as the Yankees' skipper in 2018, has led the club to a 509-361 record (.585) in six seasons at the helm of the club. Boone became just the eighth Yankees' manager in history to earn 500 wins with the team, eclipsing the mark after a doubleheader victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 12. The Yankees' manager also had a successful playing career, servicing six teams across 12 seasons in the Majors, including seven with the Cincinnati Reds that drafted him in the third round of the 1994 MLB Draft.
Boone will be reunited with two fellow Reds' 1994 draft picks at the Bullpen Winter Banquet, joining current Red Storm Head Coach Mike Hampton and St. John's great and evening emcee C.J. Nitkowski for a sit-down conversation.
Hampton, who will enter his fifth campaign as St. John's head coach and 22nd season in Queens, earned a fourth-round selection by the Reds in the 1994 Draft. Hampton and Boone played together for the Billings Mustangs in rookie ball shortly after their selections.
Nitkowski was the highest draft pick in Red Storm history, being chosen ahead of Boone with the ninth overall pick by Cincinnati. Nitkowski is currently the lead commentator for the World Series Champion Texas Rangers on Bally Sports Southwest while also hosting a daily show on Sirius' MLB Radio Network. Nitkowski and Boone both made appearances for Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts during the 1995 season.
A cocktail gathering for all attendees will take place at 6 p.m., with the evening's program to begin promptly at 7 p.m.
The night will also feature the recipients of the Jack Kaiser Advocate Award as well as the Howie Gershberg and Peter P. Smith Awards for the team's top pitcher and most valuable offensive player, respectively, from the 2023 campaign.
Tickets to the Bullpen Winter Banquet can be purchased for $250. St. John's GOLD alumni (graduates of the last decade) can secure their seats at the event for just $200. Registeration for the event is now open and can be found by clicking here.
Supporters can also enter a raffle for a luxury suite at Yankee Stadium, starting at $100 a ticket. The raffle drawing will take place on Feb. 29. To purchase a raffle ticket, click here.
Sponsorship opportunities for the dinner are also available and can be found by clicking here. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or other questions regarding the Bullpen Winter Banquet, contact Frank Shaffer at shafferf@stjohns.edu.
Boone, who took over as the Yankees' skipper in 2018, has led the club to a 509-361 record (.585) in six seasons at the helm of the club. Boone became just the eighth Yankees' manager in history to earn 500 wins with the team, eclipsing the mark after a doubleheader victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 12. The Yankees' manager also had a successful playing career, servicing six teams across 12 seasons in the Majors, including seven with the Cincinnati Reds that drafted him in the third round of the 1994 MLB Draft.
Boone will be reunited with two fellow Reds' 1994 draft picks at the Bullpen Winter Banquet, joining current Red Storm Head Coach Mike Hampton and St. John's great and evening emcee C.J. Nitkowski for a sit-down conversation.
Hampton, who will enter his fifth campaign as St. John's head coach and 22nd season in Queens, earned a fourth-round selection by the Reds in the 1994 Draft. Hampton and Boone played together for the Billings Mustangs in rookie ball shortly after their selections.
Nitkowski was the highest draft pick in Red Storm history, being chosen ahead of Boone with the ninth overall pick by Cincinnati. Nitkowski is currently the lead commentator for the World Series Champion Texas Rangers on Bally Sports Southwest while also hosting a daily show on Sirius' MLB Radio Network. Nitkowski and Boone both made appearances for Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts during the 1995 season.
A cocktail gathering for all attendees will take place at 6 p.m., with the evening's program to begin promptly at 7 p.m.
The night will also feature the recipients of the Jack Kaiser Advocate Award as well as the Howie Gershberg and Peter P. Smith Awards for the team's top pitcher and most valuable offensive player, respectively, from the 2023 campaign.
Tickets to the Bullpen Winter Banquet can be purchased for $250. St. John's GOLD alumni (graduates of the last decade) can secure their seats at the event for just $200. Registeration for the event is now open and can be found by clicking here.
Supporters can also enter a raffle for a luxury suite at Yankee Stadium, starting at $100 a ticket. The raffle drawing will take place on Feb. 29. To purchase a raffle ticket, click here.
Sponsorship opportunities for the dinner are also available and can be found by clicking here. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or other questions regarding the Bullpen Winter Banquet, contact Frank Shaffer at shafferf@stjohns.edu.
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