La Crosse, Wis. – The La Crosse Loggers proudly announced today that former Milwaukee Brewer great Gorman Thomas will  serve as their Opening Day guest on Thursday, May 28 at Copeland Park as the club ushers in the start of their thirteenth season of Northwoods League baseball in La Crosse with a “Celebration of Baseball” luncheon, presented by EGS.

Thomas will serve as the featured guest speaker during the “Celebration of Baseball” luncheon that will take place on the Dublin Square Sports Deck at Copeland Park.  A ballpark style lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. on May 28 with a program featuring Thomas, La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat and an introduction of the 2015 Loggers to follow at Noon.  The Loggers are offering a special $10 ticket package to fans that will include a ticket to the “Celebration of Baseball” luncheon as well as a ticket to the home opener that night when the Loggers play host to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at 7:05 p.m.  Loggers season ticket holders can purchase an Opening Day Luncheon ticket for just $5.  Tickets are available now at the Loggers ticket office (1225 Caledonia Street, La Crosse) that is open M-F, 8-5 or by calling 608-796-9553.

Thomas played for the Brewers during eleven different seasons spanning from 1973-1986 with stints in between with the Cleveland Indians (1983) and the Seattle Mariners (1984-1986).  Affectionately known as “Stormin’ Gorman”, Thomas hit more home runs between 1978-1983 than any other player in the American League with 197.  The slugging centerfield totaled 268 career home runs, surpassing the 30 home run mark in five different seasons and was the AL home run champ in 1979 and 1982.  Thomas was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1981 and finished in the top 10 of AL MVP voting on two different occasions (1979 & 1982).  He is also a member of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2003.

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The La Crosse Loggers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Preparing for its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.lacrosseloggers.com.