Bridgewater, NJ- The Four-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots welcomed some heavy hitters to the team’s annual Holiday Reception at The Palace at Somerset Park on Thursday, December 11th.
Joining Patriots manager Sparky Lyle were two New York Yankees legends, Reggie Jackson and Willie Randolph, Lyle’s teammates from the 1977 and 1978 World Series Championship teams.
Jackson and Randolph were in town to help celebrate the Somerset Patriots Atlantic League record fourth championship and thank the team’s partners that were in attendance.
“I was happy for him winning the championship,” Randolph told the Courier News. “For me, it’s just about being able to support my friends. I’m happy to be here. Sparky and I go way back.”
Approximately 300 guests joined Lyle, Jackson, and Randolph to celebrate the accomplishments of the Somerset Patriots 2008 season that included the ballpark’s 10th Anniversary, a recording-breaking year with over 5,400 fans a game, an All-Star summer that included a league record 8,200 fans at the All-Star Game in July, and a championship season that culminated with a dramatic walk off home run by Travis Anderson in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the deciding Game Four of the Championship Series.
Anderson was in attendance and received a loud ovation when a video recapping the season ended with his Championship Series heroics.
“Travis, you should be very proud of your accomplishment. I’m hearing a lot of great things about you tonight and how it couldn’t of happened to a nicer guy. Home runs always make you a good guy,” Jackson joked during the evening’s program.
The Patriots also held a special raffle that included a Los Angeles Dodgers experience with Joe Torre, four tickets to the new Yankees Stadium in 2009, and four tickets to CitiField for a New York Mets game in 2009.
The Somerset Patriots 2009 season begins at home on Thursday, April 23rd at 7:05 pm against the Camden Riversharks. Opening Day will feature a Championship Celebration with the Championship Ring Ceremony, the raising of the Championship Flag, and a Post Game Fireworks Extravaganza.
