Yankees Historian Marty Appel to Speak Feb. 10 at UC Baseball Awards Dinner

This release was submitted by Union County.

Marty Appel, the long-time Yankees historian and former director of Public Relations for the team, will be the special guest speaker at the 77th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on Sunday, Feb. 10, starting at 1:00 p.m. at the L’Affaire Banquet Center, 1099 Route 22 East, in Mountainside.

The awards dinner is sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association (UCBA), in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal. Since 1937, the annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner has been the primary fund-raising effort for the UCBA’s summer and fall programs for young ballplayers.

Marty Appel began his tenure with the New York Yankees handling fan mail for Mickey Mantle. He is the author of 18 books, including the New York Times bestseller, “Munson,” and the 2012 publication, “Pinstripe Empire” – the definitive history of the New York Yankees. Mr. Appel is seen often on YES Network Yankeeographies. His interviews with veteran Yankees players are featured on Yankees On Demand on the Yankees.com website.

During the afternoon awards ceremonies, the UCBA will induct three new members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame: Bill Dolan of Rahway, Jim Riccitelli of Roselle Park, and George Virgilio of Elizabeth.

“We’re delighted to welcome Marty Appel to this year’s Hot Stove League Awards Dinner,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “We hope that family members and friends of the Hall of Fame inductees and the very deserving local student honorees will enjoy the Sunday afternoon ceremonies and support youth baseball in Union County.”

Among the students to be honored for their athletic achievements are: ­Chris Folinusz, catcher for Cranford High School and Union County Player of the Year (2012); Khaseem Greene of Elizabeth and Rutgers, Big East defensive player of the year (2011 and 2012); Jenna Kulback, hard-hitting catcher for Gov. Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights (Class of 2012); James O’Rourke, a First Team, All-State centerfielder for Westfield High School (Class of 2012); Shannon Syciarz of Garwood, a First Team All-American and two time All-NJAC field hockey goaltender of the year.

The Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner also will honor local American Legion Baseball players and athletes from youth baseball leagues for their achievements in 2012.

Tickets for the dinner are $40 each and can be purchased online by visiting www.ucba-nj.org or by downloading and mailing the table registration form to the Union County Baseball Association, Box 176, Fanwood, New Jersey 07023.

For more information, please call Jim Iozzi at 908-917-2523. 

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

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HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Bill Dolan

Bill Dolan won All-State honors as a catcher at Rahway High School. He was the first All-American catcher at Monmouth University (1963); and was the Rahway High School varsity baseball coach (1972 to 2000). He is a Hall of Fame member at Rahway High School and Monmouth University, and the State Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Jim Riccitelli

Jim Riccitelli was a three-year varsity shortstop, catcher and pitcher at Roselle Park High School. He was a shortstop and pitcher at Kean College, where he by-passed senior year to sign with the Baltimore Orioles organization in 1976. Jim was the first Kean player to sign a professional baseball contract. He is a member of the Kean University Hall of Fame.

George Virgilio

George Virgilio was a second baseman for Ray Korn’s Elizabeth High School team and an All-American in 1989. He was drafted out of high school by the Atlanta Braves and played with the organization for four years. George later played in the Italian Baseball League, followed by stints with the Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles organizations. He played for the New Jersey Jackals in 1998 and was an associate scout for the Houston Astros in 1999.