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Bulls Broadcaster Wins Local Award
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Durham Bulls broadcaster Neil Solondz will be honored with the 2008 Media Award when the Raleigh Hot Stove stages its annual banquet Tuesday, January 22 at 6:00pm at the McKimmon Center on the NC State University campus. A silent auction will begin at 5:30pm.
Durham Bulls Broadcaster Neil Solondz is the recipient of the Raleigh Hot Stove’s 2008 Media Award. |
Solondz completed his fourth season with the Bulls in 2007 after broadcasting for the Lakewood BlueClaws from 2001-2003. He also handled media relations for the BlueClaws, winning Media Relations Director of the Year for the South Atlantic League (Class A) in 2003. Prior to joining the BlueClaws, the New Jersey native worked for the Quad City River Bandits (Minnesota) of the Midwest League (Class A). Along with his work in minor league baseball, Solondz worked for six seasons as part of the Rutgers University Radio Network (1994-1999). He was named New Jersey Sportscaster of the Year by his peers in 1998.
Cleveland Indians Pitching Coach Carl Willis and Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton share the Will Wynne Award for the greatest contribution by a North Carolinian to baseball in the previous year. Willis, a Durham resident, mentored the Indians pitching staff which included American League Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia. Hamilton returned to the game as a member of the Cincinnati Reds after years of struggles with medical and substance abuse problems. He hit .292 with 19 home runs.
South Atlantic League President Emeritus John Henry Moss will receive the Willie Duke Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Moss retired January 1st after serving as President of the league since its inception in 1960.
University of North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley is the organization’s College Player of the the Year. Ackley powered the Tarheels to the second consecutive trip to the College World Series hitting .402 with a .591 slugging percentage.
High school honors go to Middle Creek High School star Quincy Latimore, an All-Tri 8 Conference selection. Drafted by the Pirates, he made his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League last season.
The new President of Minor League Baseball Pat O’Connor will be a special guest speaker. O’Connor was elected to the position last month at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville.
Tickets are on sale at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Five County Stadium in Zebulon, and Johnson Lambe Sporting Goods in Raleigh’s Cameron Village.
Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story & photo.
