The anticipation of the Joliet Slammers, of the Frontier League Opening Day was overwhelming. More than 5,000 fans turned out to witness the first night of the team under new majority ownership, led by legendary comedic actor Bill Murray, Night Train Veeck and his father, Mike Veeck, the grandson of the late, great Bill Veeck, colorful former owner of the Chicago White Sox.
Besides the surprise visit by Murray, Larry Doby Jr. son of baseball legend Larry Doby, was present at the game. Doby’s father, Larry Doby Sr., was the first African American player brought into the White Sox by Bill Veeck in 1951. Larry Doby Sr. was awarded one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, the Presidential Gold Medal, posthumously at the White House in 2023.
Doby Sr.’s inaugural experience with the White Sox wasn’t all hearts and flowers, according to one attendee at the Slammers opener. “There’s a great story about that,” said Kevin Harmon, one of the members of the new ownership group who was enjoying the fun at opening day. “According to Harmon, after Doby Sr. was hired by the Sox, he was being shown around the ball club and when taken into the locker room to meet his new teammates 3 of the white players wouldn’t shake his hand and, on the spot, Bill Veeck said, “You three are fired!” Doby was no longer snubbed in the White Sox locker room from that time on. Doby Jr. made is rounds at the Slammers weekend opening meeting fans and taking in the excitement.
Fans, at opening night weren’t sure if Bill Murry was going to show and didn’t learn of his appearance at the game until the last minute when he went into the dugout to shake hands with the Slammers team members. After which co-owner Mike Veck went to the mound and threw out the 1st pitch. It was game on against the Evanville otters.
Opening Day was a win for the Slammers winning 10-3, winning 2 out of 3 games against the Otters over the Mother’s Day Weekend.
“It was really a lot of fun,” said Slammers executive vice president Night Train Veeck. “You could feel that the whole community was behind us.”
Up in the stands and hospitality suites, enthusiasm was high. “What we really want to show is that we’re reaching out to embrace the community and make them a part of what we’re doing here with the Slammers,” said Kevin Harmon, a member of the new ownership group, who came up from South Carolina to join the festivities.
“This is a big night for us as the new majority owners and for the fans who will have an all-new experience this season with the Slammers.”
It’s expected that Bill Murray will make more unannounced appearances at Slammers games later in the season. In the meantime, expect Slammers co-owners Mike and Night Train Veeck to become familiar faces around Duly Field.
There will remain a sense of continuity. The Slammer’s previous owner Nick Semaca will stay on with a minority ownership interest.
New games and promotions add to this season’s excitement. Fans will enjoy Harrah’s new Dice Game promotion during Slammers Home Games. The next Home Games are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 21-23 against the Schaumburg Boomers. Visit jolietslammers.com for more. dallison@thetimesweekly.com
