Brockton, Mass. – Former major league players Cecil Fielder, Rich Gedman, Butch Hobson and Pete Incaviglia will be the featured speakers at the Brockton Rox’ annual Hot Stove Banquet, presented by Webster Bank and held on Friday, February 26 at The Shaw’s Center at Campanelli Stadium.

The majors’ influence on independent baseball will be highlighted during the evening. Not only were the four players notable big leaguers, but they are also current or former independent league managers.

Cecil Fielder played 14 seasons in the major leagues with Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland, Anaheim and the New York Yankees. A three-time all-star, he hit 319 career home runs, including 51 during the 1990 season. He was also a member of the New York Yankees’ 1996 world championship team. He managed the Charlotte County Redfish of the South Coast League in 2007 and the Atlantic City Surf of the Can-Am League in 2008.

Rich Gedman played 11 seasons as a catcher for the Boston Red Sox from 1980 to 1990. The 1980 Sporting News Rookie of the Year, he was also a two-time American League All-Star. The Worcester native is entering his sixth season as the manager of the Worcester Tornadoes, having led the club to the league finals last season and to a Can-Am League championship in 2005.


Butch Hobson spent eight years as a third baseman with the Boston Red Sox, California Angels and New York Yankees from 1975 to 1980. After his playing days, he moved into coaching, managing the Pawtucket Red Sox from 1992 to 1994. Hobson is entering his third season as the field manager for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League, and previously piloted the Nashua Pride of the Atlantic and Can-Am Leagues from 2000 to 2007.

Pete Incaviglia played 12 seasons in the major leagues with Texas, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and the New York Yankees, hitting 20 or more home runs in a season six times. Currently the manager of the Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association, he also coached in Detroit’s minor-league system from 2004 to 2006.

-Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at approximately 7:30 p.m.

-Individual tickets for the event are $50 with private tables of ten available.

-The program will feature an open question-and-answer session with the speakers.

-There will be an auction and raffle with proceeds to benefit Father Bills & MainSpring, a program for the homeless located in Brockton. 

-Tickets are currently available at the Rox’ office at Campanelli Stadium, or by phone at (508) 559-7000.