HOT STOVE: Former Yankee Bucky Dent is guest speaker

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 6, 2017 9:59 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

Bucky Dent averaged one home per 42.3 RBI he collected during his Major League Baseball career.

The most memorable occurred in 1978.

Batting ninth -- not considered a power spot -- in the lineup, Dent smacked a three-run homer to give the New York Yankees a 3-2 lead over arch enemry Boston Red Sox in the 1978 American League East Division tie-breaker game.

The Yankees won 5-4 and took the division title.

He remains idolized among Bronx fans.

But not so much to the Red Sox faithful.

Dent just might once again share that magical moment of his 12-year professional career when he takes the podium Monday evening as the guest speaker at the 10th annual Wayne County Hot Stove League Banquet.

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Lane Tree GC.

"We wanted to do something really special and memorable for our 10th anniversary," said Roger May, founder of the WC Hot Stove League. "Any time you have somebody with his credentials come to speak, especially to the youth, that's just incredible.

"If you are a Yankees fan, it's exciting, too. I'm not too sure how the Red Sox fans might feel."

Tickets remain available -- $15 for adults and $10 for children 18 and under. However, May warns that space is limited.

Dent is scheduled to hold a 15-minute autograph session before the dinner portion of the banquet begins.

The awards ceremony starts at 7.

May plans to recognize three individuals -- Spring Creek head coach Heath Whitfield, who guided the Gators to their second straight Carolina 1-A Conference title; well-known businessman Wilber Shirley and retired prep baseball coach Jabo Fulghum.

Whitfield's squad advanced to the eastern semifinals for the second straight year. They fell to eventual eastern runner-up East Carteret.

"When I first moved to Goldsboro in 1978, Wilber Shirley's name was on just about everything that was sports related," May said. "He has been involved in youth sports and made so many contributions, I think he needs to be rewarded for that.

"Jabo and I have been friends for a long time. He's a great coach on and off the field, and he has impacted a lot of young people. That's what coaching is all about."

Seven individual awards will be presented -- Jerry Narron Award, Clyde King Award, Doyle Whitfield Award, John Thomas Award, George Whitfield Award, Bill Suggs Memorial Award and Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award.