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JONESBORO, Ark. – Arkansas State Baseball will host its annual Grand Slam Banquet on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Red Wolf Convention Center in Embassy Suites by Hilton, featuring former Major League Baseball manager and player Michael Hargrove and his wife Sharon Hargrove as the evening’s keynote speakers.

 

“We are incredibly honored to welcome Mike and Sharon Hargrove to Arkansas State,” said head coach Mike Silva. “Mike’s career in Major League Baseball speaks for itself, but what impresses me even more is the character, integrity, and humility that both he and Sharon embody. Their message will be powerful for our players, our supporters, and everyone who loves this game.”

 

A 12-year major leaguer, Hargrove maintained a .290 career batting average and had a meteoric rise from a 25th-round pick and semi-pro player to winning AL Rookie of the Year in just over two years. As a first baseman and leftfielder, Hargrove was named a 1975 All-Star, played five seasons with the Texas Rangers, 50 games with the San Diego Padres, and seven seasons in Cleveland. In total, Hargrove tallied 1,614 hits, 80 home runs, and 686 RBIs in his 12 seasons.

 

Hargrove then transitioned into a 21-year coaching career, serving as the skipper for three different teams in the 1987-89 seasons as he led squads up and down the minor league ranks before joining the Cleveland Indians staff as the 1990 first base coach. He was promoted to manager in time for the 1991 season, where he remained at the helm for nine seasons, including a run of five consecutive AL Central pennants and World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. He then headed the Baltimore Orioles for four seasons before taking over the Seattle Mariners in 2005.

 

Hargrove remains a Cleveland legend, where he is in the Guardians’ Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. He is also honored in the NAIA Hall of Fame and Northwestern Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame.

 

Michael has been married to Sharon for more than 50 years, where they met in their hometown of Perryton, Texas. As high school sweethearts, Sharon supported Michael every step along his career path, where she chronicled her story in Safe at Home: A Baseball Wife’s Story. They now reside in the Cleveland area.

 

Presented by Kalmer Solutions, the Grand Slam Banquet serves as a premier fundraising event for A-State Baseball, bringing together fans, alumni, and community supporters for an evening of celebration and impact. The event will include a VIP Reception and Meet & Greet with the Hargroves, a silent auction, and opportunities to connect with Red Wolves coaches and players.

 

Tickets and Tables

Individual tickets are available for $100, while tables of eight are $1,500 and tables of 10 are $2,500. Grand Slam Table Sponsors at the $2,500 level will receive a table of 10 and may request to sit with a coach or player of their choice (one seat reserved for that guest).

 

Guests can also upgrade their experience by purchasing an add-on ticket for the VIP Meet & Greet, offering exclusive access to Michael and Sharon Hargrove prior to the banquet.

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

A variety of sponsorship packages are available, providing premium visibility and unique benefits, including the ability to request seating with a coach or player. Sponsorship levels include:


Beverage Sponsor – $5,000
Entertainment Sponsor – $4,000
Grand Slam Table Sponsor – $2,500
Homerun Table Sponsor – $1,500

The Presenting Sponsor for this year’s banquet, Kalmer Solutions, will host the VIP Reception and Meet & Greet with the Hargroves.

 

Reserve Your Spot

Tickets, tables, and sponsorship packages can be purchased online here.

 

For more information, contact Maggie Turner at mturner@astate.edu or 870-972-2906.