"Hondo" Headlining P-Nats Hot Stove

My Favorite Player Of All Time!! Frank Howard, is the keynote speaker at The Potomac Nationals 14th Hot Stove Banquet & Auction. The affair to be held on Sunday evening, January 25th beginning at 5:30PM. With NatsFest taking place earlier in the afternoon at Nationals Park, this is a great opportunity to meet some of Our Current Nationals Stars and One Of Washington's All-Time Greats all in the very same day.

Additionally, Bobby Williams, Director Of Player Development for Our Washington Nationals will be on hand at The P-Nats Hot Stove Banquet as a guest speaker. This event, to be held at The Hyatt Fair Lakes in Fairfax, costs $40 for Adults, $20 for children under 12 years of age. More complete details and how to purchase your Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet & Auction tickets in the complete press release below.

"Hondo" and Ryan Zimmerman in the same day. You better believe The African Queen and I are going to attempt to attend both events.

The P-Nats Press Release

Frank Howard to headline P-Nats Hot Stove Banquet
Former Washington Senator keynote speaker for 14th-annual event

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The Potomac Nationals are excited to announce that former Washington Senator great Frank Howard will be the keynote speaker for the club’s 14th-annual Hot Stove Banquet and Silent Auction. The event will take place on Sunday, January 25, at the Hyatt Fair Lakes in Fairfax, Va.

“The Potomac Nationals are truly honored and feel very fortunate to have Frank Howard be our keynote speaker for the Hot Stove Banquet,” said Potomac General Manager Jonathan Griffith. “This is going to be a very memorable event for all of our fans who will be in attendance.”

Howard spent seven seasons playing with the Senators following a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers in December of 1964. The 1960 National League Rookie of the Year enjoyed his most productive years in a Washington uniform, belting 237 of his 328 career home runs with the Senators. “Hondo,” as he is still affectionately known, was a four-time American League All-Star from 1968 to 1971.

Known for his nearly 6-foot-8 frame and tremendous power, the “Capital Punisher” and “Washington Monument” as he was nicknamed led the American League in homers in 1968 and 1970. During the 1968 campaign, the 72-year-old homered in six straight games from May 12 to May 18 including smacking 10 round-trippers in 20 at-bats. He fell one long ball shy of evening Minnesota’s Harmon Killebrew for the league lead in 1969 when Howard belted a career-best 48 home runs. The Columbus, Ohio, native launched a home run in his final at-bat with the Senators in 1971 prior to the franchise’s move to Arlington, Texas.

In addition to Howard, Washington Nationals Director of Player Development Bobby Williams will also be a special guest at the event. Named to his current post on March 8, 2007, Williams has been a vital part of the Nationals’ resurgent farm system. Last season, Washington’s affiliates posted the 9th-best winning percentage in baseball, up from 25th-best the year before. He also helped to oversee the Nationals top-rated 2007 draft class as recognized by industry-insider Baseball America.

The Potomac Nationals 14th-annual Hot Stove Banquet and Silent Auction will begin with a cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30pm. The silent auction will start at 5:30 as well and be open until approximately 7:45. All proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. The program featuring Frank Howard and seated dinner will begin at 6:30 with the evening’s events scheduled to end at approximately 8:00.

Tickets for the event are on sale now! Adult admission is $40.00 and admission for children ages 12 and under is $20.00. Reservations can be made by phone by calling (703) 590-2311 or by email at shooke@potomacnationals.com. Deadline for ticket purchase is Tuesday, January 20, at 3:00pm.

Season tickets and ticket packages for the 2009 season are on sale now. The Potomac Nationals offer a variety of different ticket packages ranging from “The Weekender” – a 34-game package featuring all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games along with Opening Day and Labor Day — to six-game packages.

For more information or to order tickets call (703) 590-2311 or visit www.potomacnationals.com.