Cleveland and Polish Night will rock at PROGRESSIVE

By Michael Reghi, WKNR 850AM ESPN

I will be "Bringing it Strong" so get there real early to polka and talk about all the great Polish-American Baseball players elected to the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. The NPASHF has a museum in Troy, Michigan. Who is your favorite?

Stan Musial won seven N.L. batting titles.

I will be having an early lunch with sports broadcasters Raymond Rolak of Detroit and Doug Yalacki of Washington at Sokolowski’s University Inn in Tremont. It will be ‘Rocking’ pre-game and post-game. We will be repeating all the funny Tom Paciorek baseball stories, including when he worked at Kowalski’s Sausage Company in Hamtramck, Michigan during his college football days. Great stuff. 

For those in the Washington D.C. area, the game will be televised on MASN.    

Tickets for the Indian’s game are only $12.
More info for tickets at www.polishyoungtown.com
or www.clevelandsociety.com 

Recently, former Detroit Tiger great Willie Horton reminisced how honored he felt when presenting Paciorek into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.  “I remember how great the mushroom soup was that evening.  I love Polish food.  Tom and I were teammates in Seattle.  He had good years in Seattle.  He always helped keep the clubhouse loose.  He is a great baseball broadcaster, always prepared.” 

The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be June 24, in Troy, Michigan and will honor former Phillies Manager Danny Ozark.  Ozark led the Phillies to NL-East titles in 76, 77 and 78.  He was also a longtime coach for the L. A. Dodgers.  Past Philadelphia slugger Greg Luzinski will present for the deceased Ozark (2009).

Paciorek, the popular and veteran announcer, is scheduled to emcee.  He was awarded a sports Emmy for his White Sox and Washington National’s baseball broadcasts.

NPASHF Chairman Jim Conrad said, “We will also be inducting swimming champion Kristy Kowal of Reading, Pennsylvania and Hamtramck, Michigan native and tennis great Peaches Barkowicz.”


Other Polish-American baseball nights coming up:

ROAD TRIP? On June 18, The Pittsburg Pirates will be celebrating ‘Maz’ at PNC Park with a canvas picture give away.  Special tickets are priced at $19.60 to remember Bill Mazeroski and the 1960 season.  The Pirates will host the Indians. It is a 7:05 PM EST start. Everyone gets a Mazeroski canvas photo.

On June 19, the Toledo Mud Hens will host the Norfolk Tides at Fifth Third Field for Polish Heritage Night.  There will be a pre-game concert at 5:30 PM featuring “Touch of Brass” and a post game party with your ticket stub at the Toledo PRCUA Hall.  419-265-2615 for tickets.

Vice President of the Polish National Alliance, Paul Odrobina said, “I hope we can have a full house for Polish Night in Chicago.”  The White Sox will host Polish Night at U.S. Cellular Field on July 6, at 7:10 CDT.  The Sox will take on the Los Angeles Angels and “The New Phaze Polka Band” will perform pre-game at Gate four.

Polish-American Night in Buffalo at Coke-Cola Field will be August 3, when the Bison’s take on Lehigh Valley as part of Polish Fest.  Fireworks will be presented by UNYTS.

Can you believe that the Lake Erie Crushers don’t have a Polish-American Night promotion…. yet.  Come on Nicole Meyer……the ‘Keilbasa-n-Kraut’ is simmering.

“Bring it Strong” and Smacznego… (Bon Appetit)!

When in the Cleveland vicinity, listen to Michael Reghi on WKNR 850 AM
3:00-6:00 PM
and for sports questions
bringitstrong@espncleveland.com
216-578-0850

THESE ARE THE BASEBALL PLAYERS INDUCTED INTO THE
National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame
The Museum is located in Troy, Michigan at 15 Mile Rd and Dequindere.

o    Oscar Bielaski
o    Stan Coveleski
o    Moe Drabowsky
o    Mark Fidrych
o    Steve Gromek
o    Ted Kluszewski
o    Casimir (Jim) Konstanty
o    Whitey Kurowski
o    Bob Kuzava
o    Tony Kubek
o    Eddie Lopat
o    Stan Lopata
o    Greg Luzinski
o    Bill Mazeroski
o    Barney McCosky
o    Stan Musial
o    Phil Niekro
o    Joe Niekro
o    Tom Paciorek
o    Ron Perranoski
o    Johnny Podres
o    Jack Quinn
o    Ron Reed
o    Jenny Romatowski
o    Ray Sadecki
o    Al Simmons
o    Bill Skowron
o    Frank Tanana
o    Alan Trammell
o    Carl Yastrzemski
o    Richie Zisk

This year on June 24, Former Phillies Manager, Danny Ozark will be inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.  Ozark won three National League East Titles in 76, 77, and 78 for Philidelphia.  He was also a longtime coach for Walt Alston and the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Danny passed in 2009 at the age of 85.

Not many know Whitey Ford is Polish and Oh, how about  former Tiger and Coach,  Dick Tracewski.