BlueClaws to host Manuel, Amaro

Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will headline the Phillies Winter Tour stop at the Woodlake Country Club, Lakewood, on Jan. 26. All proceeds from the event will benefit BlueClaws Charities.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the dinner to begin at 7 p.m.

According to a press release from the Lakewood BlueClaws, Manuel, who has managed the Phillies since 2005, has taken them to the playoffs each of the last four seasons and led the 2008 Phillies to their first World Series title since 1980. He previously managed the Cleveland Indians from 2000-02.

Amaro was named the Phillies’ general manager in November 2008 after serving as assistant general manager for the previous 10 years.

Amaro, who is a former Phillies batboy, played with the Phillies and two other teams over a seven-year major league career. In his two seasons as the team’s general manager he has traded for all-stars Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt.

“Being able to bring both the Phillies’ manager and general manager to Lakewood is very exciting for us,” said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. “The two have helped bring tremendous success to the Phillies’ organization over the last few years and it is a real treat for our fans to meet them.”

Manuel and Amaro will sign autographs and answer fans’ questions at the sit-down banquet. The event will also include silent auctions and raffle prizes. In the past, the event has included autographed merchandise from Phillies players and from former BlueClaws such as Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels.

The BlueClaws are the single A affiliate of the Phillies.

Registration for the Jan. 26 event is $40 per person. To sign up, call Amy DeMichele at 732-901-7000, ext 172.

The Lakewood BlueClaws, two-time defending South Atlantic League champions, will open their 2011 season on April 7 against Kannapolis. Ticket packages and group outings are on sale now by calling 732-901-7000, option 3.

BlueClaws Charities, the official nonprofit foundation of the Lakewood Blue- Claws, is a 501(c)3 organization that has donated more than $250,000 to area nonprofit organizations and fundraising events over the last two years, according to the press release.