DANVILLE SAYS GOODBYE TO THE DUKE

Area fans saw Dodger great, Duke Snider, hit a home run over the right field wall at Danville Stadium on June 20, 1947, when the Brooklyn Dodgers came to town to play their farm club, the Danville Dodgers. The Hall of Fame center fielder for the "Boys of Summer" died early today at the age of 84.

"The Duke of Flatbush" hit .295 with 407 career home runs, played in the World Series six times, and helped bring the Brooklyn Dodgers their only World Series Championship. Snider still holds the Dodgers all time home run record at 389, hitting at least 40 home runs in five different seasons. The eight-time All-Star was one of “Dem Bums," deeply loved by the fans of the Borough of Brooklyn.

In Dodger blue, Snider wore No. 4 and was regarded as one of baseball’s best center fielders in a time considered by many, the golden age of baseball.

Danville Stadium and the Danville Dans join the baseball nation in sending condolences to “The Duke’s” wife Beverly, and their family and friends.

DANS HELP SPUR LSU TO 3-0 START

BATON ROUGE - A pair of three-run homers by junior Mike Mahtook (Dans 2009)and sophomore Mason Katz (Dans 2010) fueled the No. 15 LSU baseball team past Wake Forest, 9-1, to complete the series sweep on Sunday in Alex Box Stadium.

With the win, the Tigers (3-0) have now swept all three home-opening series at the new Alex Box Stadium. LSU swept Villanova to open the season in 2009, and won three-straight against Centenary to start the season in 2010. Mahtook notched home runs in each of the 3 games.

DANS ALUM NAMED PRESEASON SBC PITCHER OF THE YEAR:

Arkansas State junior starting pitcher and 2009 Dans alumni, Jacob Lee, has been named Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

Lee also earned a Preseason All-Conference nod. He is the top returning pitcher for the Red Wolves from last season, whose pitching staff ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference.

Jacob is coached by Tommy Raffo.

COLLEGE BASEBALL SEASON KICKS OFF WITH A BANG!

Dans alumni began the college season yesterday when St. Leo (FL) defeated Valdosta State with a 19 run barrage.

2010 and 2011 pitcher Aaron Brandt pitched 5 innings, earning with win, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 8. 2010 Alumni, Anthony Santa, blasted a home run over the left field wall, and 2008 Danville Dan Frank Rawdow (a Mississippi State transfer) went 4 for 6. 2009 and 2010 Dan catcher Jason Hamm went 2 for 5 in the win.

Great start Dans! The college baseball season kicks off in full force on Feb. 18th

DAN ALUM NAMED ALL-AMERICAN

2009 Danville Dan, Mikie Mahtook, was named Friday to the 2011 Baseball America magazine first-team preseason all-American squad. The designation is the 2nd preseason honor for Mikie, who was named to Collegiate Baseball 2nd team in December.

A native of Lafayette, LA, Mahtook hit .335 for the LSU Tigers last season with 19 doubles, four triples, 14 homes, 50 RBI, 68 runs and 22 steals. Last summer, he helped lead the U.S. Collegiate National Team to the silver medal at the World University Championships in Tokyo.

DANS ALUM NAMED TO PRESEASON LIST

Brett Huber (Dans 2009) has been named to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA).

Huber was named an All-SEC selection and freshman team selection a year ago before claiming Freshman All-American Honors. The Ole' Miss right-hander posted 12 saves and a 2-0 record for the Rebels last year, along with 54 strikeouts, walking only 19 batters.

Established seven years ago, the Stopper of the Year award is presented annually to the top relief pitcher in the nation. Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts. The final awards will be released Wednesday, June 1, prior to the start of NCAA regional tournament competition.