THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 21, 1996 TAG: 9608211194
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 55 lines
Former Baltimore Orioles left-hander Scott McGregor won't limit his duties to providing color commentary for Home Team Sports this weekend. McGregor, an ordained minister, will share his story of baseball and inspiration with both youngsters and adults at 5 p.m. Thursday at Coy Tillett Sr. Memorial Field.
Admission is free.
McGregor, a native of El Segundo, Calif., helped the Orioles to a World Series title in 1983, and won 20 games in 1980. In the decade of the eighties, McGregor was the second winningest pitcher in baseball with 105 wins, behind Jack Morris' 124.
A high school teammate of future Hall-of-Famer George Brett at El Segundo, McGregor was part of the El Segundo team that won the Babe Ruth World Series in 1969.
McGregor is now pastor of the Rock Church in Dover, Del. He became a born-again Christian in 1980. He and his wife Cara have three children.
FANS GET A FREEBIE: Thanks to four of the World Series' key sponsors, Albemarle area fans will get a chance to see Friday's semi-finals and Saturday's championship game at no charge.
Kmart, Albemarle Hospital, 360 Communications and Pepsi have decided to sponsor the Friday and Saturday games, and open them free to the public.
``I think because of the great support that the people of Dare County and the Albemarle region have shown for the series, the sponsors wanted to say `thank you,' '' tournament director Terry Wheeler said.
The games will be carried live on the Bethesda, Md.-based Home Team Sports cable network. Bob Rathbun and McGregor will provide play-by-play.
Semifinal action begins at noon and 3 p.m. Friday. The finals are set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Wheeler said a full house this weekend would help Dare County secure another World Series bid.
``It's no secret that we want to host another World Series,'' Wheeler said. ``If we get a full house this weekend, that will help us. We certainly don't want to be on national television with empty seats. This will give everyone in the region a chance to see some great baseball.''
ALL-STAR PARADE: The stream of great former players taking part in the series continues today and Thursday night. Former Oakland As and New York Yankees' great Jim ``Catfish'' Hunter will be honored Wednesday, and former San Francisco Giant hurler Gaylord Perry of Williamston will be honored Thursday. Both are former Cy Young Award winners and are members of baseball's Hall of Fame.
THE RING OF A CHAMPION: Manteo High School's Class 2A state championship baseball team will be honored tonight. The club will receive championship rings in recognition of its title.
The 1996 club is the third Manteo team to capture a state baseball crown. The Redskins won the Class A crown in 1974 and 1976.
Kenny Meekins coached Manteo to the title. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
McGregor by CNB