HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The Mad Hungarian is switching hats next month for his fifth year of being a featured guest at the Hot Springs Baseball Weekend August 27 – 28.
Al Hrabosky, who is now known as Mister Baseball Weekend after attending every one of the annual celebrations of Hot Springs’ role in baseball history, will discuss the 2022 St. Louis Cardinals team and the team’s future. The previous four years he discussed with fans his role as one of the Cardinals’ most beloved players — the Mad Hungarian relief pitcher.
“Al has been a featured guest at every one of our Baseball Weekends,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said. “The hundreds of fans who have attended his presentations have loved his tales of Major League Baseball. Now he’ll share with them his outlook for the Cardinals from his perspective as a Cardinals broadcaster.
“We are asking him to take off his player’s hat and put on his broadcaster hat to talk about this year’s St. Louis Cardinal team and the future of the organization. His section of the weekend’s scheduled presentations is Cardinal Baseball Update with Al (The Mad Hungarian) Hrabosky.”
Hrabosky will be part of the Cardinals television team for the 39th season and his 27th season on Bally Sports Midwest. He began working as a commentator on telecasts for the team in 1985.
Hrabosky made a smooth transition from one of St. Louis' best-loved athletes, the “Mad Hungarian” of the Cardinals 1970s bullpen, to the broadcast booth. During a 13-year Major League career in which he compiled 97 saves and earned Fireman of the Year honors in 1975, Hrabosky already was preparing himself for broadcasting by working as a sportscaster for a St. Louis TV station.
Hrabosky was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in February 2003, the Fullerton College Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Savanna High School Hall of Fame in 2011. Away from the booth, he is active in many charities, including the St. Louis Zoo and Angel Arms. He and his wife, June, reside in St. Louis.
Hrabosky joins baseball legends Rich (Goose) Gossage, Dale Murphy and Chris Chambliss as the celebrity guests who have agreed to come to Hot Springs for the weekend. The weekend also will feature as its opening event August 27 the Arkansas premiere of the documentary film “Facing Nolan,” which chronicles the life of legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan.
The Fifth Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend again will be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The public is invited to attend all events free of charge.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.
###