LIVONIA, Mich. — Plenty of surprises will be showcased during a sportsmen’s benefit dinner to celebrate the 2017 baseball season. The evening will also highlight the work of the Polish National Youth Baseball Foundation which supports baseball and softball in Poland. The keynote will be Al Moran who played for Casey Stengel and the New York Mets. His topic of motivation will be, “Life Lessons Casey Taught Me.”
Scheduled for Thursday, April 6th with cocktails beginning at 6:00 p.m. and hosted at the Monaghan Council Knights of Columbus Banquet Center located at 19801 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48152. Tables of eight are available at (734)-502-2017.
The evening will be highlighted by entertainer Walt Lipiec and emceed by author and super-lawyer, Fred Lauck. Lipiec is a keyboard artist who prides himself with the ability of handling any request. The very talented entertainer is versatile and has mastered a great repertory of instruments.
Lauck, who is a well sought out after-dinner speaker, is just about to release his next book, “The Fightin’ Irish of Detroit.” The story is a compilation of what Lauck has experienced through a lifetime in the Detroit courts. He always regales and marvels his audiences with his extraordinary historical anecdotes.
Lauck had a close relationship with longtime baseball / softball promoter Mike Sitkowski. An announcement is scheduled for a scholarship in Sitkowski’s memory.
The dinner will include a complete and traditional Polish presentation catered by Szegedi’s. The after-glow will highlight an old-style coffee service and cordials. This will also feature Szegedi’s famous cream cheese and carrot cake for dessert.
Moran signed with the Boston Red Sox out of Michigan State after a spectacular career at Detroit Catholic Central High School. In 1963, right before the season started, he was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Mets. After his pro playing days, he had a long history of mentoring through his humanistic style of coaching. “I learned more from Al Moran in one game than in five years of Federation ball,” said longtime teammate John DiCicco.
Moran could have turned pro taking the ice hockey route as he was an elite hockey player. Former Hockey USA National Team players Jimmy Siebert and Tom Mustonen, both native sons of northwest Detroit, will be in attendance to pay tribute to Moran.
Moran also excelled in football, playing as a freshman at Michigan State. Lauck, with his engaging style, will share some spectacular and surprising statistics. He will also highlight the Rev. Livius Paoli, OSB, who was so instrumental in giving opportunities and developing the many successful scholars and athletes from the West Outer Dive area. The legacy continues today.
Wally Ozog will be featured to announce the kickoff for Polish-American Heritage Night at Comerica Park. This year the date is Friday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. The committee has a new premium to showcase and Ozog will unveil it. The opponent for the game will be the Texas Rangers and beside all the pre-game Polonia entertainment, the night will feature the Pepsi post-game fireworks. (773)-852-7130.
Jim Vermuelen said, “We are celebrating the journey of growth for Polish baseball and softball, which is becoming more popular in Poland. Also, we are celebrating the 2017 season kickoff for the Detroit Tigers. Opening Day is upon us. We are celebrating excellence. I invite all to see baseball as a metaphor for the circle of life and everyone is invited to celebrate with us.”
