CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy, a two-time National League MVP and seven-time All Star, will be the featured speaker at the 6th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Silent Auction on Jan. 22 at Mark Clark Hall on The Citadel campus.

The event is being sponsored for the third year in a row by Tommy McQueeney State Farm Insurance Company.

The Hot Stove Banquet is an annual collaboration between the Charleston RiverDogs and The Citadel to whet the appetite of Charleston area baseball fans.

In addition to the banquet, a silent auction will be held with proceeds going to The Citadel Foundation and to MUSC's Storm Eye Institute, the RiverDogs' primary charity.

"We've had excellent turnouts for the past Hot Stove Banquets but I believe this will be our best one yet," said RiverDogs general manager, Dave Echols. "We think that Braves and baseball fans of all ages will enjoy hearing Dale Murphy speak."

"Last year's event was outstanding and we're extremely encouraged about the 2010 banquet that features Dale Murphy," said Citadel baseball coach, Fred Jordan. "The Hot Stove Banquet has evolved into a great event and Murphy will certainly be one of the best speakers we've had yet."

Murphy enjoyed 18 successful seasons as a Major Leaguer, predominantly with the Braves from 1976-90, then with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1990-92 and concluding his career with the Colorado Rockies in 1993.

The Salem, Ore., native hit .265 with 398 home runs -- good for 48th most all-time -- and 1,266 RBIs. Murphy was a seven-time NL All-Star selection, a five-time NL Gold Glove winner as one of the elite center fielders of the 1980s, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and won consecutive NL MVP awards in 1982 and 1983. For his efforts, Murphy's No. 3 jersey has been retired by the Braves

Murphy led the National League in home runs and RBIs twice, and also led the Major Leagues in home runs and runs batted in over the 10-year span from 1981 to 1990. He led the National League in games, at-bats, runs, hits, extra base hits, RBIs, runs created, total bases and plate appearances in the decade of the 1980s. He also accomplished a 30-30 season in 1983, at the time only the sixth player since 1922 to have done so. His 1983 MVP year is the only time in Major League history a player has compiled a .300 batting average, 30 home runs, 120 runs batted in, 130 runs scored, 90 bases on balls and 30 stolen bases -- with fewer than 10 times caught stealing.

Previous speakers for the Hot Stove Banquets have included former New York Yankees Bobby Richardson and John Blanchard, Jim Bouton and Tommy John, former Braves and current New York Mets player Jeff Francoeur, and Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry.

The reception and auction begin at 6 p.m. with the dinner to start at 7:30. Tickets are $65 per person, and include dinner, beverages and admission to the auction. Tables with preferred seating for eight individuals are available for $500.

For individual tickets and additional information, please contact the RiverDogs at (843) 577-DOGS (3647). Tickets may also be purchased at www.riverdogs.com online.

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