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Hot Springs, Arkansas, the “Birthplace of Major League Baseball Spring Training,” will come alive with the Seventh Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend, August 23-24, 2024. The late summer gathering of baseball fans has become one of the most popular weekend sports events in the state. Beginning as a way to share the traditions of baseball in the Spa City, HSBW has become a regional event that brings thousands of baseball fans together for a free weekend celebrating our National Pastime.
First Time Guests and Local Favorites
Johnny Bench, a native of Oklahoma and a member of the legendary “Big Red Machine,” will make his first appearance at the 2024 Hot Springs Baseball Weekend. He was a 14-time All-Star and the National League Most Valuable Player in 1970 and 1972. Bench led the National League in home runs twice and RBIs three times. He also excelled on defense. Bench was a 10-time Gold Glove honoree and is often named by baseball historians as the greatest catcher of all time. Johnny Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.
Robin Yount became a major leaguer in 1974 at the age of 18. He played more than 2,850 big-league games over a 20-year career. Yount was chosen as the American League MVP in 1982 and 1989. He ended his career with 3,142 hits and 1,406 RBIs. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. A popular guest at baseball events, Yount is making his first appearance at Hot Springs Baseball Weekend.
Two of the all-time favorite guests at Hot Springs Baseball Weekend return for the 2024 event. Hall of Fame Catcher Ted Simmons and legendary reliever Goose Gossage have become known at HSBW for their candid and humorous recollections of their years in major league baseball.
Simmons was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019. In an outstanding 21-year career, he was selected to eight All-Star teams and batted .300 in seven seasons. A popular member of the St. Louis Cardinals, he was honored with a statue outside Busch Stadium in 2021. Known for his innovative philosophy of the game, Simmons has been a consultant for numerous major league teams.
Rich Gossage returns to Hot Springs Baseball Weekend by popular demand. The intimidating reliever, known simply as “Goose,” glared down at hitters with a menacing scowl and a blazing fastball. Gossage was a nine-time All-Star in a 22-year career that included stints with nine different teams. He recorded 310 saves in more than 1,800 innings. In just over 1,000 games, Goose struck out 1,502 opposing hitters with an excellent 3.01 career ERA. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Al Hrabosky has become a popular guest at the Hot Springs Baseball Weekend. Known as the “Mad Hungarian,” Hrabosky is a regular on St. Louis Cardinals’ broadcasts. As a dominating closer in the mid-1970s, he led the league in saves in 1975 and was in the top 10 in that category in three other seasons. He finished his career with 97 saves in 544 relief appearances. Twice, the Mad Hungarian finished in the top five in the Cy Young voting. Hrabosky will host a clinic for youngsters on Friday, August 23, and moderate various discussions on Saturday.
This year’s guests also include former Razorback baseball star, Tom Pagnozzi. Pagnozzi played in 927 major league games, all for the St. Louis Cardinals. Pagnozzi was known as one of the most outstanding defensive catchers in the game during his career in St. Louis. He won three Gold Gloves and was named to the 1992 All-Star team. Pagnozzi will join Ted Simmons Saturday for a discussion about catching for the Cardinals.
Friday’s Events
For those arriving on Friday, August 23, the weekend activities will kick off Friday evening with a free youth clinic at Majestic Park. Al Hrabosky will offer instruction to youngsters ages 5-16 from 6:30 – 7:30.
Later Friday from 7:30 p.m.– 9 p.m., there will be a free screening of the documentary “It Ain’t Over,” about the colorful and sometimes misunderstood American icon, Yogi Berra.
Saturday’s Events
Saturday’s activities begin with a meeting of the Robinson-Kell Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Convention Center Room 102. The featured speaker for the meeting will be Babe Ruth historian and author, Frank Amoroso. Non-members are welcome.
Non-members are welcome at the HSBW meeting of the Robinson-Kell Chapter of SABR. The guest speaker is author Frank Amoroso, an authority on Babe Ruth.
A free Sportscard Show will be open in the Convention Center Lobby from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This year’s gathering of collectors and memorabilia dealers promises to be bigger than ever, with sports card enthusiasts from throughout the region.
Seventh Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend
Hot Springs Convention Center
August 23 and 24
Complete Schedule
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Free Youth Clinic (5-16 years old) at Majestic Park presented by Cardinal Legend Al “The Mad Hungarian” Hrabosky
7:30 – 9 p.m. Free screening of the documentary “IT AIN’T OVER”
An intimate portrait of a misunderstood American icon, this emotional and uplifting documentary about Yogi Berra takes us beyond the caricatures and “Yogisms” and into the heart of a sports legend whose unparalleled accomplishments on the baseball diamond were often overshadowed by his off-the-field persona.
The first two hundred guests receive a complimentary Baseball Weekend poster.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
8:30 – 9:45 a.m. – Society for American Baseball Research Meeting –
Non-Members Welcome (Convention Center Room 102)
Speaker: Frank Amoroso, Babe Ruth historian and author
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Baseball Card Show Open
10 – 11 a.m. “Mr. Brewer”: Hall of Famer Robin Yount
(Hot Springs Convention Center – Horner Hall)
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Remembering Yankees Legend Thurmon Munson with Hall of Famer Goose Gossage
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. The Art of Cardinals Catching with Hall of Famer Ted Simmons and All-Star Tom Pagnozzi. Moderator Al Hrabosky
3 – 4 p.m. Talking Baseball with Hall of Famer Johnny Bench
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Ask the Pros featuring Johnny Bench, Robin Yount, Ted Simmons, Al Hrabosky, and Tom Pagnozzi
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