It was something like a who’s who list as stars and scouts mingled at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Century City in Los Angeles. The event was the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s In the Spirit of Game sports extravaganza.
Dennis Gilbert, White Sox executive, organized the evening and also answered phones. Woes of the economy didn’t seem to permeate the atmosphere as all of the tables were filled in this fundraising initiative designed to help baseball scouts in need.
Attendees enjoyed entertainment, baseball memories and opportunities to buy sports and entertainment memorabilia at both silent and live auctions that we held at the event. All 30 of the Major League baseball organizations help in any way they can. Hosted by Ron Dibble and well-known actors Brendan Fraser and Don Johnson, the atmosphere was warm, congenial and appreciative towards the scouts, who were, for this one night, on front and center for their work and love of the game.
During the evening, the foundation presented honors to Goose Gossage, John Harrington, Whitey Herzog, the Alou family and George Brett. “Dennis gave me an award tonight and I told him you don’t have to give me an award because I’m coming back every year because it’s a great event,” said Hall of Famer Brett.
Jerry Reinsdorf believes the event has become bigger than he ever could have imagined. Reinsdorf’s organization has continued to be one of the foundation’s biggest supporters. “These people need help more than anybody else.”
Those in attendance consider Dennis Gilbert’s efforts noteworthy. Gilbert works to get support of the entire baseball community for what is a very worthy cause. “Scouts are a part of baseball history and are undercompensated, underappreciated and this helps make up for it a little bit,” Gilbert said.
With the Hyatt’s excellent cuisine and plenty of ambience to go around, there was little question about whether attendees enjoy the event and the likelihood of returning again next year. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was in attendance for the third consecutive year. “This is a wonderful testimonial and honor to people who give their lives to baseball and are the life blood of baseball.”
Gilbert attributes the success to the support he receives. “We have so much support, so much great momentum,” Gilbert said, “We just have great people around us and a great board of directors. You can’t lose with those people.”
With another successful year of the event under his belt, we suspect that Gilbert will only delight with the success of this year’s event for a moment before he’s off planning next year’s event. Event planners understand that these things don’t just happen. They take effort and initiative and if anyone knows that, Gilbert does.
As items were auctioned and donations were made, it was clear that the love of baseball is still very much alive and well. Stars and scouts along with some of the industries movers and shakers made the event a huge success.
