Philadelphia Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy's at it again. McCarthy a resident of Allentown is back at helping out his local community, especially the softball and baseball teams at Allentown High School. Tonight, McCarthy is hosting what has turned out to be an annual event as he's put together a host of baseball celebrities to speak at the annual Hot Stove Dinner at the Princeton Manor, Hamilton (formerly Cedar Gardens) from 6-11 p.m.
By Ray Clark
Philadelphia Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy's at it again.
McCarthy, a resident of Allentown, is back at helping out his local community, especially the softball and baseball teams at Allentown High School.
Tonight, McCarthy is hosting what has turned out to be an annual event as he's put together a host of baseball celebrities to speak at the annual Hot Stove Dinner at the Princeton Manor, Hamilton (formerly Cedar Gardens) from 6 to 11 p.m.
McCarthy's one of the busiest men in broadcasting.
His Phillies gig is his mainstay, but he also announces college basketball games as well as announcing NFL games, plus he has several other broadcasting responsibilities. Still, the former Times of Trenton sports writer finds time to support Allentown High athletics every year.
Speaking at tonight's event is current Phillies manager Pete Mackanin, Major League Baseball Network and former big league pitcher Dan Plesac as well as former major league catcher and current Phils' broadcaster Ben Davis. And, like he's done in the past, McCarthy will be the event's host.
Before getting the Phillies job he spent time in the booth as one of the Mets' announcers and before that he was the voice of the Trenton Thunder as well as the team's assistant general manager when they were a Boston Red Sox affiliate; now they belong to the Yankees.
In the past McCarthy with his many contacts has brought in personalities to the Hot Stove Dinner like Phil's skipper Charlie Manuel, Phils' GM Reuben Amaro, former Met Ron Darling, former Steinert grad and major leaguer Dave Gallagher, as well as McCarthy's fellow Phils' radio broadcasters' Scott Franzke the colorful Larry Andersen and many, many more over the years.
This year's event should be no less exciting as any of the others as the Phils new manager Mackanin will give some insight into the 2016 Phils while Plesac can give a general overall overview of this coming baseball season. Davis can speak about his transition from playing in the majors to now working as a broadcaster, especially on Sundays when he works side by side with baseball Hall of Famer and former Phillie's third basemen Mike Schmidt.
"This is a way for Tom to give back," said Allentown head baseball coach Brian Nice of McCarthy. "It's been great for us. And, he's good about doing this every year and besides that it's great that he does this. He's just a great guy no matter what and he did this way before his kids ever played in our program.
"As far as the dinner goes, if you're into baseball this is the event to come to. Every guest speaks and then there's a question and answer session after. And it's unbelievable to see how great all the speakers have been with their time. They come at no cost and stay and talk to people afterwards, pose for pictures and they all stay and mingle. The last time Charlie Manuel came he stayed and signed like 200-300 autographs.
"It's great access to the speakers and overall it's just a great evening of baseball."
McCarthy's had two sons that played for Nice at Allentown, Tommy and Pat and last year his son Tommy was drafted by the Phils in the 40th round (the 1,194th pick) of the major league baseball draft. Safe to say young Tom chose college over inking any kind of pro deal.
The cost of the dinner is $50 and if you have any questions call 609-416-3488.
Mafalda's of Hamilton will cater the food. Walk-ups will also be honored tonight. All proceeds go to Allentown High's baseball and softball teams.
In the past the funds have helped pay for the softball and baseball teams travel to Myrtle Beach in the preseason as well as paying for uniforms, score boards, batting cages and much more for the Allentown programs.
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