Lexington Legends begin 25th anniversary season
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Lexington Legends take pride in being the city's professional baseball team, a tradition that will be celebrated this summer in their 25th anniversary season.
The ballclub held media day on Wednesday afternoon at Legends Field as it gears up for opening weekend this upcoming weekend at home, with opening day on Friday.
Lexington baseball fans might recognize some names on the roster who played baseball here in town years ago, back when they played college ball up the road at the University of Kentucky.
Kole Cottam played at Kentucky from 2016 to 2018 before being drafted in the 4th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He was the 7th highest college catcher prospect that year by D1Baseball.
Lexington Legends announce partnership with Kentucky bourbon, exclusive giveaway
'It's a special place, you know. I think it is good, you know, to have some people that, you know, fans can cling to, and there's plenty of guys on this team that do that as well. other than the local guys. But I think, you know, it's a special group,' Cottam said.
Pitcher Dustin Beggs also suited up for the Blue and White in the springs of 2015 and 2016 before being drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2016.
Another local name is excited to make a return to Legends Field in Colin Burgess, a Tates Creek alum who won the KHSAA baseball state championship on that same exact field with the Commodores in 2019.
'Yeah. You know, it's really nice to be back. Nice to be home with the parents and the dog. Last time I was here, I went to state. So hopefully with another ring this year. I've been hanging out with a bunch of my buddies from back home that I grew up with, and I've been talking to them, a bunch of the guys I've brought around them too, you know, so they'll come out to a couple of the games. Hopefully, they don't get too rowdy, but should be fun,' Burgess said.
Lexington Legends celebrate 25 years as the team looks ahead to upcoming season
Competing in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) for five years now, the Legends are not affiliated like a minor league team, but sometimes have players catch the attention of MLB organizations and sign contracts to jump into a team's farm system.
The Legends also have multiple players with major league experience coming to Lexington in the later stages of their careers, continuing to play for the love of the game.
The first pitch for the Legends' first game is at 7 p.m. on Friday against the Charleston Dirty Birds. They also play Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. for Kids Day.
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