August 16, 2006
Former Pro Athletes named to the North Shore Oldtimers baseball team
They take on the Peabody Police Department, Labor Day, Sept. 4
PEABODY, Mass. - It is the 50th anniversary of the Peabody Police Jimmy Fund baseball game. On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, members of the Peabody Police force will take on the North Shore Oldtimers to support cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This charitable game has been played since 1956, making it among the oldest, continually running events to benefit the Jimmy Fund.
Confirmed to play on the Oldtimer team, so far, are former Red Sox players John Tudor, Kenny Ryan, and 'Spaceman' Bill Lee. Other former pro-ball players include Rawly Eastwick, Chris Howard, and Bob Tewksbury. Former Celtics player Rick Weitzman will join the team, and more basketball and Bruins legends are expected to sign up, too.
The event features plenty of food and activities including a performance by the USS Constitution Color Guard. Actor Ryan Merriman, who has 18 films, including "Deep End of the Ocean" and "Final Destination 3," is scheduled to make an appearance. Estimates are that the Peabody Police, through the game and a variety of other fundraisers, have contributed nearly $300,000 to the Jimmy Fund. All funds are raised exclusively by contribution. There is no set cost to enjoy the game and surrounding events.
The historical Labor Day baseball game gets under way at 10 a.m. at Emerson Park in Peabody. Additional activities, including a baseball clinic for children, start off at 8:30 in the morning. For more information about the event, visit www.jimmyfund.org.
