Don King delights Dodd Stadium
August 21, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
(Norwich, Conn.) -- Legendary Promoter Don King was at Dodd Stadium Thursday (August 18) and treated fans, media and both teams to an entertaining night at the ballpark as part of the Navigators' ﾂ前nly In America' promotion.
"Only in America could you come to the ballpark and see all this," King said. "I am first and foremost an American and when I was asked to come to Norwich for ﾂ前nly in America Day' with the Navigators' fans, I was happy to accept."
The charismatic promoter spoke to the media for about 20 minutes wearing a blue jean jacket air-brushed with images of Mount Rushmore and the United States waving two American flags. At around 6:30 p.m. he entered the stadium from the right-field warning track on the back of a convertible waiving to the crowd and stopping occasionally to embrace fans.
The Navigators handed out 1,000 Don King wigs and 1,500 American Flags before the game. King also spoke to the Norwich players and posed for photographs with players and fans alike.
Don King is a long time friend of Norwich President and Managing Partner Lou DiBella. Don King's name and face are among the most recognizable in the history of sports. He has handled boxing's biggest names; including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield. He has promoted over 500 world championship fights and Don King Productions has the distinction of having promoted six of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history.
It was almost exactly a year ago in 2004 when the Navigators brought Willie Mays to Dodd Stadium, perhaps the greatest all-around baseball player of all time.
The Navigators are the Double-A Affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, celebrating their 11th season in Connecticut. Tickets for all home games are now available by calling 860-887-7962 or by visiting www.gators.com. Group outings, corporate picnics and skybox rentals are also currently on sale. In addition, appearances by both team mascots, Tater the Gator and Rally the Raven, are available for various children's events.
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