By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Legends of Sports recognizes Reno Lizzi

Apr 14, 2016 | 5:18 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The Lethbridge Bulls will recognize the 1975 Lethbridge Expos and Reno Lizzi, as this year’s recipient for the Spirit of Baseball award.

The award will be presented at the third annual “Legends of Sports Gala,” at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Conference on April 22, 2016.

The event will welcome legend Andre Dawson, who kick started his career alongside Lizzi with the 1975 Lethbridge Expos, before moving on to earn one of baseball’s highest honours, an induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, NY.

Lizzi, the man known as “Mr. Baseball,” will also be remembered by special guest and fellow Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins and former Boston Red Sox star Bill “the Spaceman” Lee.

“Lethbridge was where I got my initial start,” reminisced Dawson in a phone interview, “Lizzi did a lot for the community, and we complimented each other really well. He was one of those guys that were instrumental for our success with the ball club,” he said.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Week-in-review: Street sweeping, policing in Coaldale and #SlowYourRoll

Apr 13, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 12, 2024

Apr 12, 2024

Dawson will undoubtedly share stories along with baseball wisdom at the event.

Over the phone, the expert stressed the importance of Canadian baseball that is accessible to the public when commenting on the loss of the Montreal MLB team.

“It’s sad seeing an organization move because of fan base, l’ve always felt that a new ball park in the downtown area [Montreal] would be a more convenient option over the Olympic stadium and it will be a tough hurtle for them to cross in order to get baseball back,” he said.

Kevin Kvame, President & General Manager of the Lethbridge Bulls, said that he has reminded the current WMBL of the 1975 Lethbridge Expo history and former champs like Lizzi and Dawson, crediting them with having an effect on the present success enjoyed by the club.

The Lethbridge Expos were the first professional baseball team brought to the city, and all of Western Canada. The creation of the team sparked the building of Spitz Stadium’s grandstand, originally known as Henderson Stadium.

A commemorative banner for the 1975 Lethbridge Expo was hung after the 2016 renovations at Spitz Stadium. 

Tickets are still available for purchase at Spitz Stadium or online at underthelights.ca.