Team also announces 2014 promotional schedule and single game tickets go on-sale this Friday

WILLMAR, MN – The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League are excited to announce that former Minnesota Twin Hall-of-Fame pitcher Eddie Guardado will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the 2014 Home Opener presented by Marcus Construction at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, May 29that Bill Taunton Stadium.

Guardado spent 12 of his 17 professional seasons as a member of the Twins pitching staff, coming almost exclusively out of the bullpen. With the nickname of “Every Day” Eddie, the two-time MLB All-Star ranks as the Twins all-time leader for a reliever in appearances (648), innings pitched (579) and is second all-time in strikeouts (550) and wins (34). The left-hander had a 4.53 ERA while in Minnesota and compiled 116 saves.

In 2002, Guardado led the American League in saves with 45 and backed up that stellar season with 41 saves in 2003 ranked 2nd in the American League. Guardado is one of three Twins pitchers to record 40-plus saves in back-to-back seasons. To honor his accomplishments while with the Twins, Guardado was elected to the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame in June of2013.

After leaving the Twins following the 2003 season, he made his way to the American League West Division and pitched for the Seattle Mariners for the next two plus seasons. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in July of 2006 where he promptly converted eight of his first nine opportunities out of the Reds bullpen. Guardado spent two seasons in Cincinnati before joining the Texas Rangers in 2008. After appearing in 55 games for the Rangers, “Every Day” Eddie was traded back to the Twins where he made nine more appearances. Following the 2009, he found himself back in Arlington, TX with the Rangers organization and made 48 appearances in relief.

Guardado played his final Major League game on September 30, 2009 for the Texas Rangers. After 17 seasons of big league baseball, he compiled a career ERA of 4.31, 908 appearances, and 187 career saves. His 187 career saves is tied with Eric Gagne for 51st in Major League Baseball history.

The Stingers 2014 promotional schedule also includes 36-nightly promotions that fans can look forward to at the Bee Hive in 2014.  Promotional nights will include post-game fireworks shows, giveaway items, and various theme nights throughout the season. David “the Bullet” Smith, the world record holding Human Cannonball, will make a return visit to Bill Taunton Stadium on July 8th.

Another highlight of the Stingers 5th summer in the Northwoods League will be a Hunter Dozier Bobblehead Night presented by CDS on July 11th. The complete listing of the 2014 promotional schedule is featured below, with more information found on www.willmarstingers.com.

Single game tickets for the 2014 season will be available for sale beginning at 10 am on Friday May 2nd. Tickets can be purchased online via www.willmarstingers.com, by calling 320-222-2010, or visiting the Stingers ticket office located at Bill Taunton Stadium from 10 am – 5 pm.  For more information regarding this news release or season ticket pricing, please call 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com. The 2014 season is presented by Charter.

Full List of 2014 Stingers Promotional Schedule

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The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest summer collegiate 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 (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com.