Peoria Chiefs plan tributes to Cubs Hall of Famer and ex-Peoria manager Ryne Sandberg, and former Chiefs owner Pete Vonachen, during week-long series.
PEORIA — The Peoria Chiefs open their final six-game home stand of the 2025 Midwest League season on Tuesday, and it will include some special nights.
The series at Dozer Park is against the South Bend Cubs, and has been designated a Ryne Sandberg Tribute Series as the Peoria team he once managed hosts the minor-league affiliate of the organization for which he played.
The Sunday home finale, on Aug. 31, will be the inaugural Pete Vonachen Day, played on what would have been the late iconic Chiefs owner's 100th birthday.
Pete Vonachen Day
Vonachen loved having kids at the ballpark, and often handed out baseballs to them, as is depicted in a statue dedicated in his honor at Dozer Park.
Sunday, in Peoria's home finale, all kids 14-years-old and under will receive a gift from the team. Details on what that is will follow later in the week via the Chiefs online site.
"As an organization, we wanted to find an avenue to celebrate Pete for all of his contributions to the city of Peoria," Chiefs general manager Jason Mott said. "We look forward to starting a new tradition that will carry on Pete’s legacy for future generations."
Pete Vonachen Day will continue in the future for all Chiefs regular-season home finales.
Vonachen bought the Chiefs franchise in 1983 when it was then-known as the Peoria Suns. He was renowned for his grass roots ownership around central Illinois, and rallied the project for a location and money needed for the downtown ballpark that is Dozer Park today. He was a past Midwest League Executive of the Year, as well as The Sporting News Class A Minor League Executive of the Year. And, as is part of his lore, he was a dear friend of Harry Caray.
Vonachen died at age 87 on June 10, 2013.
A tribute to a Hall of Fame player
Ryne Sandberg was a 10-time MLB All-Star, nine-time Gold Glover and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
The former Cubs infielder managed the Chiefs in 2007 and 2008. He died from cancer on July 28 at the age of 65.
The Chiefs will paint Sandberg’s No. 23 in the grass next to the third base coaching box, where he was a regular figure over his two seasons as Chiefs manager.
Prior to each game in the series, Chiefs play-by-play broadcaster Cody Schindler will conduct an on-field interview with local figures who worked closely with Sandberg.
The Chiefs will donate proceeds from the week's 50/50 raffles to a charity benefiting prostate cancer research.
Chiefly Speaking
The Peoria Chiefs have some interesting prospects on the second half roster, as the final chance for a look at them arrives this week. ... Shortstop Jesus Baez is still here, the Cardinals No. 7 prospect according to MLB.com. He came to St. Louis in the July trade with the Mets for Ryan Helsley. Baez is a blossoming power-hitter with a big arm. ... The Chiefs also have 6-foot-7 pitcher Chen Wei-Lin (ranked No. 16) and pitcher Nate Dohm (No. 17), a pair of right-handers. There are three more players ranked in the 20s. ... The Chiefs are on the 18-35 in the second half, tied for last in the Midwest League West Division. They are on the brink of elimination from the playoff picture, as they stand 12 games behind co-leaders South Bend and Beloit with 12 games left to play. ... Peoria is 44-74 overall for the season, second-worst in the 12-team Midwest League.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Chiefs baseball: Tributes planned for Ryne Sandberg, Pete Vonachen
Category: General Sports
