HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Pitching legend Steve Garvey is postponing his appearance at Hot Springs’ Baseball Weekend until next year after he won a place Tuesday on the November ballot for United States senator in California.
Garvey had been scheduled as one of the legends of the game who will be featured guests at the Seventh Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend August 23 – 24 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
“Steve Garvey will be campaigning until November in California’s election to replace the late Senator Dianne Feinstein,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, “and he has told us he plans to join us in 2025 for Baseball Weekend. Who knows — we could be hosting a U.S. senator at next year’s event.”
“But the good news is that we have got two great replacements for Steve this year,” Arrison said. “We’ll have fan favorite Goose Gossage coming back to join us, and former Razorback and St. Louis Cardinals star Tom Pagnozzi has agreed to be a part of what is shaping up as one of the best Baseball Weekends ever.”
Gossage and Pagnozzi will join Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Robin Yount and Ted Simmons and Al (The Mad Hungarian) Hrabosky in a weekend of panel discussions, interactions with fans and baseball film that celebrates Hot Springs’ role as the Birthplace of Major League Baseball Spring Training.
“It turns out that this year’s event will informally celebrate legendary catchers,” Arrison said, “with Johnny Bench, Ted Simmons and Tom Pagnozzi, who were all great players behind the plate, plus a screening of ‘It Ain’t Over,’ a really good movie about the immortal catcher Yogi Berra.
“Also, Goose has said he plans to base his talk about pitching to the legendary catcher Thurmon Munson. So he’ll be giving an all-new presentation for those fans who have enjoyed his previous visits for Baseball Weekend.”
“What a great lineup of true baseball legends we have for fans this year,” Arrison said. “I’m sure there will be plenty of interesting questions for fans to exchange with our guest celebrities. It should be a great weekend.”
Gossage, real name Rich, was a fireballing pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Pagnozzi, who was a standout with the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 1980s, played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career as a catcher with the St. Louis Cardinals. A three-time Gold Glove Award winner, Pagnozzi was named to the National League All-Star team in 1992. He retired in 1998.
Arrison said the weekend also would feature a large baseball-card show.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.