Bobby Valentine to keynote winter banquet

St. John’s University hit a home run and scored one of baseball’s most dynamic minds to warm up their winter celebration.
The fifth annual St. John’s Baseball Bullpen Winter Banquet will feature former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine. The event will be held on Wednesday, February 9 at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan, with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
In addition to the reception, a silent auction will be held with the chance to bid on a variety of items. At past events, items up for bid included sports memorabilia, spa treatments and trip around the country. All proceeds from the evening will directly benefit the Red Storm baseball program.
Tickets for the event are priced at $250 per person and tables of 10 are available for $2,500. To ensure a spot, R.S.V.P. by February 3 to Elizabeth Austin at austine@stjohns.edu or 718-990-2548.
“We are extremely excited to have Bobby Valentine speak at this year’s Bullpen Winter Banquet,” said St. John’s head baseball coach Ed Blankmeyer. “Bobby is an outstanding speaker and a great baseball mind and I know that those in attendance will thoroughly enjoy listening to him.”
Valentine managed the Mets when the squad won the National League Pennant in 2000 and remains a fan favorite among Mets faithful. Valentine is the only manager in Mets history to guide the team to the postseason in two consecutive seasons. He won a total of 1,117 games in a 15-year managing career that included stints with both the Mets and the Texas Rangers.
Aside from his managerial career, Valentine has recently put together a respectable broadcasting resume as well. Sports broadcasting giant ESPN recently announced that Valentine will join Dan Shulman and Orel Hershiser in the booth for the network’s “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcasts.
The St. John’s baseball team opens its 2011 season on February 18 in Florida against Minnesota as part of the Big East-Bing Ten Challenge. The Red Storm will host Albany in its home-opener on March 16.