EVANSVILLE — A World Series legend, a Hall of Fame infielder and a hometown hero highlight the lineup for the 26th annual Night of Memories.
The local charity and fundraising event, run by the Tri-State Hot Stove League, is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 at Meeks Family Fieldhouse on the University of Evansville campus. The featured guests this year include Don Mattingly, David Freese, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger and master of ceremonies Wayne Hagin.
Tickets can be purchased online at hotstoveleague.org with children 18 and under admitted free to the autograph session, scheduled for 3:30-5:30 p.m. CT, if accomanied by an adult with a paid admission ($25). All items to be signed will need to have a purchased autograph ticket (not available online, only sold at the door).
Tri-State Hot Stove League President Ryan Berger said the event has already set new records for both tables and early ticket sales. There is still time to purchase a corporate table or general admission tickets online.
“This is an amazing lineup,” Berger said. “Don does so much for our city, and the response we receive at each Night of Memories alone for him is truly remarkable. It’s a testament to who Don is as a resident of Evansville and his giving heart to our community. Bringing in the caliber of Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs only adds to that excitement. The most excitement seems to be centered around 2011 Cardinals World Series MVP David Freese and Notre Dame legend Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger. Both of their stories are truly what movies are made of.”
Mattingly was a star at Memorial High School before spending a 14-year career with New York Yankees, earning six All-Star nods, nine Gold Gloves and the American League Most Valuable Player award in 1985. His managerial career included 12 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. Mattingly was most recently the bench coach for the World Series runner-up Toronto Blue Jays before accepting the same role in Philadelphia this offseason.
Freese played in the majors for 11 seasons between four different teams and earned one All-Star selection. He is most remembered for his postseason heroics with the St. Louis Cardinals. Freese was named the 2011 World Series MVP which featured a two-run game-tying triple in the ninth and a walk-off home run in the 11th innings of Game 6 against the Texas Rangers. His 21 runs batted in that postseason was a MLB record that stood for 12 years.
Ruettiger is a motivational speaker and author who was a walk-on football player at Notre Dame. His career with the Fighting Irish — he recorded a sack on the final play of his senior year against Georiga Tech and was carried off the field by his teammates — became the inspiration of the 1993 film ‘Rudy’. Also scheduled to be in attendance are multiple Evansville-area minor leaguers: Cameron Decker (North), Matthew Fisher (Memorial) and Cam Tilly (Castle).
Hall of Famer Wade Boggs was orginially scheduled to attend but had to cancel on Wednesday due to “an unforeseen family emergency.” Former Castle standout Zach Messinger, now a pitcher in the Yankees organization, also had to cancel.
Night of Memories autograph prices
The first amount is for balls, hats and flats (pictures/cards). The second is for premium items — bats, helmets, jerseys, hats, and pictures 16×20 or larger. If one price is listed, that is for all items being signed. All other inscriptions are $25 each and will be limited to one per item.
What are some of the items available during the charity auction?
The chat session and silent auction takes place in the Meeks Family Fieldhouse with doors opening at 5 p.m.. Admission is $25/person — if you attend the autograph session, your admission ticket for that will also get you into the chat session & auction, as long as you are 21 or older.
The live auction occurs during the main event at night. The silent auction is currently live and can be found online or via the Handbid app by searching for “Hot Stove” or “Night of Memories.” A total of 156 items are listed this year for the latter. Among the highlights across both include a pair of 2027 Super Bowl tickets (compliments of Evansville native and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Griese), a collection of Cubs Hall of Fame autographed baseballs, a team signed 1970 St. Louis Cardinals baseball, a collection of NASCAR diecast cars with most autographed by the drivers and more.
The silent auction ends at 9 p.m. on Jan. 24.
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Everything to know about the 26th annual Night of Memories — Guests, autograph prices
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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