Dodger legend Kirk Gibson headlining Hot Stove Dinner

Fundraiser supporting baseball team to be held this month after two-year hiatus

By California State University, Bakersfield

January 11^th, 2023

After a two-year hiatus, the California State University, Bakersfield Athletics Department is bringing back its annual Hot Stove Dinner on Friday, Jan. 27.

The event, which always serves as an outstanding evening for fans and the community to both meet and support the Roadrunner baseball team, will feature Los Angeles Dodgers legend and World Series hero Kirk Gibson as the featured guest.

The Hot Stove Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. in Building 1 at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The evening includes an introduction to the 2023 CSUB baseball scholar-athletes and coaches, dinner, a Q&A with Kirk Gibson and an auction for items such as autographed sports memorabilia, premium Dodgers tickets, vacation getaways, gourmet meals and more.

This past April, Gibson became just the fifth member of the Legends of Dodger Baseball, joining Fernando Valenzuela, Don Newcombe, Steve Garvey and Maury Wills in the prestigious club. His baseball resume is loaded with elite-level accomplishments as a player, manager and now broadcaster.

A former National League MVP and two-time World Series Champion, Dodgers fans most fondly remember Gibson for pushing through an injury and delivering a walk-off, pinch-hit home run against Dennis Eckersley in Game One of the 1988 World Series. That solo blast served as the catalyst to help the Dodgers go on and defeat the heavily favored Oakland Athletics and the moment would later be voted as the No. 1 greatest moment in Los Angeles Sports history.

The author of another clutch World Series moment, Gibson also hit a three-run homer off Goose Gossage that sealed the 1984 Fall Classic for the Detroit Tigers. A career .268 hitter, Gibson accumulated 255 home runs, 260 doubles, 54 triples, and 870 RBI in his 17 Major League seasons.

After hanging up his cleats in 1995, Gibson spent five seasons as a television analyst for the Tigers before embarking on his coaching journey. Signing on with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007, he eventually worked his way up and became the club's Manager for five seasons, including the 2011 season in which he earned NL Manager of the Year honors. Gibson has since returned to the broadcasting booth, analyzing the Tigers on Bally Sports each game since 2019.

Many fans also forget that Gibson enjoyed a standout football career prior to becoming a major leaguer. In 2017, the former Michigan State wide receiver was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. As a Spartan, Gibson amassed 112 receptions, 2,347 yards, and 24 touchdowns on the gridiron.

Kirk Gibson joins an impressive list of Hot Stove guests including Max Muncy, Tommy Lasorda, Cody Bellinger, Orel Hershiser, Dusty Baker, Tommy John and Mike Scioscia.