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The 29th annual Hot Stove Banquet returned to the San Jose Elks Club on Tuesday night to honor Santa Clara County baseball players from the youth level to the professional ranks, as well as other individuals from the area who have contributed to the game.

Master of ceremonies Ted Robinson, who for 13 years was the radio voice of Stanford football, began the evening with a quick Q-and-A with each of the head coaches from San Jose State, Santa Clara and Stanford. When introducing Stanford head coach Mark Marquess, Robinson simply said "And next, the man who needs no introduction."

Marquess gave a quick preview of the upcoming season and gave note to the rising parity in the college game.

"There used to be only a few teams you'd expect to compete for the national championship every season," Marquess said. "Now there can be 40 or 50 teams you can't write off."

Marquess spoke highly of longtime San Jose State head coach Sam Piraro, who was presented by the Hot Stove committee its Lifetime Achievement Award.

"If I had a son, I'd want him to play baseball for Sam Piraro," Marquess told the crowd.

Topping the list of award winners was Los Gatos native Kevin Frandsen of the Philadelphia Phillies, who took home the Major League Player of the Year award.

Stanford's Mark Appel was named College Player of the Year. Former Cardinals Eric Davis (Minor League Pitcher of the Year) and Eric Smith (Minor League Catcher of the Year) also copped hardware.

Other award winners included Palo Alto High grads Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who received a minor league honor, plus B.J. Boyd and John Dickerson, honored at the high school level.

Standing before a packed house of players, fans and baseball executives, the well-spoken Appel genuinely thanked his family and gave praise to the Cardinal coaching staff in attendance after accepting his award.

A number of people with Stanford connections filled the crowd at the Hot Stove Banquet, including Tom Dunton (former Stanford pitching coach) and Bob Rose (Stanford baseball sports information director from 1979-82 and current director of media relations for the Oakland Athletics).

— Alan George/Stanford Media Relations

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