Hurdle, Kurkjian, and Rhashan Wow Hot Stove League Audience

By Lou Hunsinger Jr.

For a few short hours last week, it seemed like summer as the “summer game,” baseball, was celebrated at the Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove League banquet held at the Genetti Hotel.

The banquet was highlighted by appearances by former Pittsburgh Pirate manager and former Williamsport Bills manager Clint Hurdle, ESPN’s Hall of Fame announcer and commentator Tim Kurkjian, the induction of Rhashan West-Bey, the Crosscutters “Director of Smiles,” into the Bowman Field Hall of Fame, and Chevy Troutman receiving his induction to the Sports Walk of Fame

The banquet raised more than $9,000 to benefit the Sojourner Truth Ministries.

Also appearing were Chris Howard, coach of the Penn College baseball team, and Rick Oliveri, coach of the newly revived Lycoming College baseball team.

I was able to talk with both Hurdle and

Kurkjian before the banquet.

Hurdle remembers his season here in 1991 with the Williamsport Bills well, when they were an affiliate of the New York Mets.

Hurdle had managed the Jackson Mets the year before to a first-place finish before the franchise was moved here temporarily for one season. He believed that having a strong team the previous season meant that the 1991 Bills would be a contender in the Eastern League in 1991. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

“Our pitching really struggled that year with the exception of Dave Telgheder, who won 13 games and led the Eastern League in wins,” Hurdle told Webb Weekly. “Our hitters were sometimes inconsistent, except for Jeremey Burnitz. He was really exciting to watch hit. He hit 31 homers that year and led the league and tied for the RBI lead with 85.

“We had high hopes for the Mets’ Number One Draft Pick that we had, Alan Zinter, but he never really got un-

See HOT STOVE on Page 14

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