Cardinals Shortstop and 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein receives the That's a Winner Award. Left to Right: KMOX Radio's Jon Grayson and Tom Ackerman; Mathews-Dickey VP, PR & Special Events Barbara A. Washington; Eckstein; Carole Buck; Club President, CEO Martin L. Mathews; and Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa.

Mathews with Cardinals Pitching Coach Dave Duncan and fellow That's Award Winner Eckstein. LaRussa with Edward Jones Managing Partner Jim Weddle and his wife, Stacey.

More than 200 spectactors relived the excitement of the St. Louis Cardinals 2006 World Series Championship and paid tribute to the memory of legendary Hall of Famer Jack Buck at the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club’s 16th Annual “Jack Buck Celebrity Night with the Stars” on July 29, at the Missouri Atheltic Club.  Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa chaired the fund-raiser, in which the 2007 “That’s A Winner Award” was presented to Shortstop and World Series MVP David Eckstein and Pitching Coach David Duncan.  KMOX Radio broadcast live from the dinner auction. 

A wave of excitement rushed over this gala like the hoopla of the Cardinals pennant race at Busch Stadium.   Sponsors who signed on for a Team Player table of 10 at $1,000, nominated a representative to pull for their position, get their picture taken with LaRussa and receive a replica championship ring.  Team Coach table sponsors at $5,000, received a group photo with LaRussa, a pair of replica rings and one Russell Irwin autographed portrait inspired by Jack Buck’s poem “A Perfect World” (autographed and depicting Hall of Famers Enos Slaughter, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson of the Cardinals and the Big Red’s Dan Dierdorf, Jackie Smith and Larry Wilson).   

Co-chairing the fund-raiser with LaRussa was Sherman George, chief of the St. Louis Fire Department.  George led the department’s annual Fill-The-Boot Toll Road effort from July 27 through 29, with stations at Busch Stadium and across the city.   The emcees were Jon Grayson, co-host of KMOX Radio’s “Two Johns, No Waiting.,” and Tom Ackerman, manager of sports operations.

Cardinals Care, the St. Louis Rams, Blues and others, donated auction items this year.  Professional auctioneer J. Kim Tucci kept the bids rising through the roof, while Cardinals organist and previous “That’s a Winner Award” recipient Ernie Hays tickles the ivories.   Carole Buck, Jack's lovely wife, was on hand to help present the award named in his memory.

Save the Date in 2008

This year’s celebrity auction takes place on Sunday, July 20 or August 3, at a site to be announced.

See Jack Buck Tribute

The Pasta House Owner and professional auctioneer J. Kim Tucci presides over the live auction.

Cardinals organist Ernie Hays tickles the ivories.

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