By Alan Lytle
Lexington, KY – The Lexington Legends begin their 11th season of professional baseball this week. Opening night is Thursday in the newly-christened Whitaker Bank Ballpark. On Tuesday the club held its annual media day luncheon and Legends President and CEO Alan Stein made one of his now famous opening day guarantees.
"If we lose this game guys, I'm gonna dress like Bruce Pearl until we win. And trust me. The first day when we wear that ugly orange sportcoat it will be disgusting. But the second night, if we lose, and I have to take off my shirt and paint myself orange, we will all have to shut down the Legends."
Stein says, over the past decade, local support of the professional franchise has remained strong.
"As we've traveled around the country we have found that the fan base here and the passion that folks in Lexington and Central Kentucky have for the Legends is as good as it is anywhere in all of baseball, and the baseball itself has been extraordinarily good. We've won championships. We've been to multiple playoffs over the years."
Rodney Linares returns to Lexington for his second season as manager.
"It's a great baseball town and we are working hard this year to give you guys what you want, which is a championship this year. We came close last year, but this year, we have a great group of kids, a great coaching staff "
The team also announced a new partnership with Alltech; specifically the company's brewing and distilling division. The former Maker's Mark Club, is now the Kentucky Ale Taproom. The Charleston Riverdogs provide the opposition Thursday evening. First pitch is 7:05.