Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Who says the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry is not alive and well? It has seemed to carry over this past season between two of southwest Virginia’s minor league baseball teams.
A bet on whose major-league franchise would finish higher last season has one of those teams eating its words.
Last season, Betsy Haugh, the General Manager of the Pulaski Yankees, issued a challenge via Twitter and Salem responded. The bet was made prior to the beginning of last year’s American League Division Series between the Yankees and Red Sox.
“If New York won the ALDS, Mugsy would have to come to our Opening Night dressed in a Yankees’ jersey. If Boston won (which they did), Calf-E would have to go to Salem’s Opening Night dressed in a Red Sox jersey,” she said.
Thus, the Red Sox did a little better than the Yankees and the rest is history. Or in this case, making good on a bet. But it did leave a few fans at last week’s game a little confused.
Calf-E had to go to Salem’s Opening Night and wear a Red Sox jersey. He greeted fans with Mugsy pre-game and also threw out a first pitch wearing the Salem jersey.
Haugh was also there to live up to her side of the bargain. Would she do it again?
Of course, it’s the Red Sox and the Yankees.
And there was a familiar face roaming the stands for the Sox as they opened the season. Former Pulaski general manager Blair Hoke is now the vice president of ticket sales and service for the Sox.
Hoke enters her first season with the Salem Red Sox, but this will be her fifth in Minor League Baseball. She began her career in the sports industry in 2014 as the Director of Marketing for the Pulaski Yankees before becoming General Manager in 2016. She was the recipient of the Appalachian League Woman of the Year award in 2016 and Executive of the Year award in 2017.
Hoke, who had been serving as the city of Radford’s economic director, saw the Sox post as job she simply could not turn down. Her duties include:
-
Manage a full-time sales staff, including hiring, training and professional development of existing and incoming sales team
-
Lead the staff to drive operating performance and champion cost and productivity improvements, with an eye towards profitability
-
Prepare and manage near, medium and long term strategic sales plans with input from other senior leadership and ownership
-
Guide pricing strategy for season tickets, group experiences, premium hospitality and single game ticket products
-
Develop and enhance new and existing ticket sales community outreach programs and manage existing programs in Salem and the Roanoke Valley
-
Assist in sponsorship sales efforts
“I am very excited for the opportunity to rejoin Minor League Baseball as I am very passionate about the industry. Joining the Salem Red Sox lets me further my career in baseball while being a part of an organization that positively impacts surrounding communities,” she said.
The Salem Red Sox have “draughted” an alternate appearance for the 2019 season. Beginning May 2, the team will take the field every Thursday as the Salem Beer Mongers in a nod to the growing craft industry.
General Manager Allen Lawrence added, “Craft beer has taken off here locally and across the entire state with the number of breweries increasing for less than 50 in 2011 to over 200 today. We thought it was appropriate to recognize the growth of the craft beer industry and the importance that it plays in our local economy.”
In addition to the industry throughout the Roanoke valley, fans at Haley Toyota Field can enjoy 30 different craft beers available at the ballpark. Beer Mongers merchandise will also be available in the Red Sox online shop and team store.
Fans in attendance Wednesday, April 17, can receive 25% off the new merchandise. The discount is only available in-person at the time of the game. First pitch between the Red Sox and Down East Wood Ducks is scheduled for 7:05.
To commemorate the event, a 6-Pack of Tickets for $6.00 is being released for tomorrow’s game as well. Tickets must be purchased in advance and can be attained online or at the box office before 4:00 PM.
The Salem Red Sox have also “draughted” an alternate appearance for the 2019 season. Beginning May 2, the team will take the field every Thursday as the Salem Beer Mongers in a nod to the growing craft industry.
General Manager Allen Lawrence added, “Craft beer has taken off here locally and across the entire state with the number of breweries increasing for less than 50 in 2011 to over 200 today. We thought it was appropriate to recognize the growth of the craft beer industry and the importance that it plays in our local economy.”
In addition to the industry throughout the Roanoke valley, fans at Haley Toyota Field can enjoy 30 different craft beers available at the ballpark. Beer Mongers merchandise will also be available in the Red Sox online shop and team store.