By Matthew K. Roy
Staff writer
—
PEABODY — A Labor Day tradition will resume Monday in Peabody when police officers face the Northshore Oldtimers in baseball.
This year is the 54th anniversary of an event that raises money for the Jimmy Fund. Players will take the field at Emerson Park at 10 a.m., following a baseball clinic for 8- to 12-year-olds that begins at 8 a.m.
As it has in the past, the Oldtimers roster will feature former Red Sox players including John Tudor, Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, Chris Howard, Peabody's own Steve Lomasney and Kenny Ryan. Rawly Eastwick, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds (and 1975 World Series nemesis of the Sox), and Medford native Mike Pagliarulo, formerly of the New York Yankees, are also on the team.
Food and drinks will be served, and an opportunity drawing and silent auction will be held. The USS Constitution Color Guard will also perform. All gifts made to the Jimmy Fund are through personal donations and opportunity-drawing ticket sales.
Much of the food and materials to pull off the free event will be donated by various companies, Firebull Restaurant, Pepperidge Farms, Hannaford and U.S. Food Services, among them, said Officer Stephanie Lane of the Peabody police.
Last year's game raised $8,500 to help fight cancer.
At this point, the weather looks like it will cooperate.
"I'm hoping (Hurricane) Earl will have moved his way out of here and clear the sky for us," Lane said.
Play Ball
What: Peabody Police vs. Northshore Oldtimers Labor Day Baseball Game to benefit the Jimmy Fund
When: Monday, Kids Baseball Clinic (ages 8-12), 8 a.m., game begins at 10 a.m.
Where: Emerson Park, Perkins Street, Peabody
Cost: Free, donations welcome
