Former National League MVP George Foster to be Keynote Speaker at Mohawk Valley Baseball Hall of Fame Dinner

Former National League MVP and “Big Red Machine” slugger George Foster is set to speak at the Mohawk Valley Baseball Hall of Fame ‪Dinner on April 12, 2019‬ at the TraveLodge in Little Falls.  The dinner, which will honor yet-to-be-announced inductees, will also act as the kick off to the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs’ Kickoff Dinner.

Foster, a 2003 Inductee of the Cincinnati Red Hall of Fame, spent 18 years in Major League Baseball eventually becoming one of the most feared sluggers in the game.  He was a key cog in the Reds’ 1975 and 1976 World Championships and in 1977 was named the top player in all of the National League when he batted .320 with a league-leading 52 home runs, 149 runs batted in and 124 runs scored.

“We are ecstatic to welcome another World Champion to our esteemed lineup of special guests,” said DiamondDawgs’ Owner and President of the Mohawk Valley Baseball Hall of Fame, Travis Heiser.  “The fact that George also has a connection to the New York Mets is like icing on the cake for our fans who have a longtime connection to the Mets.”

Foster led the National League in home runs in 1977 & 1978 and RBIs in 1976, 1977 & 1978. He won aa Silver Slugger Award  in 1981 and was named to 5 All-Star teams.

Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1968, Foster made his debut in 1969. When the 20-year old reached the majors, he played alongside Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds and Ken Henderson.  In 1971, the Giants traded Foster to the Cincinnati Reds.   After 11 years with the Reds, Foster was traded to the New York Mets, where he played from 1982 to 1986. Foster finished his 18 year career in 1986 with the Chicago White Sox.

“George brings a voluminous amount of history to the dinner this year,” added Heiser.  “We once again have a monumental figure in the history of our game to come and help us welcome the newest members of our Hall of Fame and to kick off our 2019 season!”

In 18 years, Foster had played in 1,977 games, had a lifetime average of .274, belted 348 home runs and drove in 1,239 runs.

The dinner will honor three people from the Mohawk Valley whose impact on the game has been significant.  The inductees will be announced in upcoming days.

The event’s doors will open on April 12, at 5:30 P.M. for cocktails, autographs and silent auction with dinner and program following. Tickets cost $40 per person and a table of 8 can be purchased for $275.

To purchase a seat or table, please email Travis@mydiamonddawgs.com or contact team owner Travis Heiser at (315) 985-0692.

Stay tuned as we announce this year’s inductees to the Mohawk Valley Baseball Hall of Fame next week by visiting our website www.mydiamonddawgs.com or by social media on Facebook and Twitter