Former St. Louis Cardinal Pitcher Andy Benes is the keynote speaker for the All-South Illinois Fellowship of Christian Athletes 2014 Home Team Banquet. Ish Smith, with the FCA, told us a little about Benes’ career.
“I got to know Andy first in 1988 when he was a member of the Olympic team over in Seoul, Korea that won the gold medal,” Smith told WGEL. “He pitched for us that year along with Jim Abbott. But Andy’s been a good friend since then and he’s very active in the St. Louis FCA.
“One of his claims to fame was he was the first pitcher to ever throw a pitch for the Diamondbacks. He was supposed to sign with the Cardinals. There was a questionable dateline that he didn’t get signed on time. So he got drafted by the start-up Diamondbacks, so that’s one of his several claims to fame.
“He has 2,000 strike-outs; that’s pretty good. But he’s just a great Christian athlete and a great guy.”
Smith said the banquet will be held Friday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Greenville College Armington Center. There is no charge to attend the banquet but there will be an opportunity to make a donation or pledge to the ongoing ministry of the All-South Illinois FCA. Reservations are required. To reserve your seat, call the FCA office at 664-1747.
