PORTLAND, Ore. --- The University of Portland’s 2012 Diamond Dinner featuring former Major League catcher and long-time Seattle Mariner Dan Wilson is officially sold out. The event, which is in its 11th year, has grown and evolved into Pilot baseball’s premier fund-raiser and annual tradition.
“The Diamond Dinner is an opportunity for us to celebrate the beginning of the college baseball season,” UP head baseball coach Chris Sperry said. “It also gives us a chance to recognize and reunite with alumni and supporters of the UP baseball program.”
The Diamond Dinner, sponsored by Red Lion, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 in the Bauccio Commons on the University of Portland Campus. The event is open to the public and tickets are $50 each or $500 for an entire table of 10. Festivities begin with a social hour and a silent auction starting at 5:00 p.m. Dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the program is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.
“This year’s Diamond Dinner will be special because of its connection to Major League Baseball here in the Northwest,” noted Sperry. “Dan Wilson caught for the Seattle Mariners during the best days in the organization’s history, including for a team that won 116 games. He anchored the defense from behind the plate, worked so well with their pitching staff, and was an excellent hitter. Having him represent our “local” major league team and share his story as a former collegiate student-athlete who realized a dream of playing in the big leagues is something I am really looking forward to.”
Wilson spent 12 years in Seattle, compiling 1,071 career hits and 1,237 career games caught. Wilson, who retired following the 2005 season, owns the Mariners career home run (88) mark for catchers, and the club’s single-season marks for catchers in batting average (.295, 2002), home runs (18, 1996) and RBI’s (83, 1996). An American League All-Star in 1996, Wilson was the catcher in 30 of the 34 post-season games in Mariners franchise history.
Wilson is in the Mariners top-10 in a bevy of offensive categories, and he ranks in the top-25 in Major League history among catchers in several categories, including fielding percentage, games, doubles, runs and RBI’s.
The Barrington, Ill., native was the Mariners nominee for the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community.
“Dan is a devoted family man with strong values,” added Sperry. “He is considered one of the best people that baseball has produced, and I believe I speak for all of us within the Pilots baseball program when I say February 11 will be a great night.”
