08.06.2024

Today’s Forecast

84º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. | Sunset 8:28 p.m.

⚾️ From the Tourists to the Hall of Fame

Meet the six former Asheville Tourists in the Baseball Hall of Fame

1968 Asheville Tourists Team Photo with Sparky Anderson, fourth from the right

Look for Sparky Anderson in the bottom row, fourth from the right. | Photo via Asheville Tourists

On any given night of the season, you can walk through the gates of McCormick Field and find yourself surrounded by infectious energy, raucous cheering, and good food. But once you take your seat, you’ll be met by some real baseball talent — which is nothing new. Over the team’s 100 years of existence, the Asheville Tourists have helped a number of athletes hit their careers out of the park.

So, prompted by a recent question from reader Carole C., we’re stepping up to the plate to introduce you to the six former Asheville Tourists in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Todd Helton, inducted January 2024
After being chosen by the Colorado Rockies in the 1995 MLB Draft, the first baseman played for several minor league teams — including the Tourists — for two years, before making his big league debut in 1997. Among his many awards and record-breaking stats, Helton was a five-time All-Star.

Craig Biggio poses for his Asheville Tourists team photo — Biggio hit eight home runs in his first 40 games with the Tourists.
|
Photo via Asheville Tourists

Craig Biggio, inducted July 2015
The catcher took to the Asheville field in 1987, after being a first-round pick of the Houston Astros, which he would join in 1988. Biggio is the only player in history with at least 3,000 hits, 400 stolen bases, 600 doubles, and 250 home runs.

Willie Stargell, inducted 1988
Debuting in 1962, the left fielder and first baseman spent all 21 seasons of his Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but before that storied career, he would lead the Tourists to finish first in the South Atlantic League in 1961, with an 87-50 record. By the time he retired in 1982, he had 475 home runs and was a seven-time All-Star.

If these baseball greats have you ready to cheer, check out our guide to local sports to see what other Asheville teams you can support.

Three more baseball stars

Asked

If Asheville had its own Hall of Fame, which contemporary Ashevillian would be inducted?

A. Warren Haynes
B. Meherwan Irani
C. Roberta Flack
D. The person who drives the Off the Wagon Dueling Piano Bar truck

Destined for greatness

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 6

“The Sound of Music” Sneak Peek | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 6-7 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | Get a sneak preview of Asheville Community Theatre’s show, hear from the actors + director, and listen to some of the songs.
Intro to Long-Form Improv | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Misfit Improv & Acting School | Free | Tap into your creativity, build your confidence, and learn the art of improv without the pressure of performance.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Kitten Yoga | Wednesday, Aug. 7, Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 6-7 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic | Free | Bring your yoga mat and find your flow while enjoying kitten chaos — donations benefit Binx’s Home for Black Cats.
The 16th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival | Wednesday, Aug. 7-Saturday, Aug. 10 | Times vary | Various locations | $33-$150 | Take a seat for headliner Tom Segura or showcases of some of the country’s fastest rising comedy stars.

Thursday, Aug. 8

12x12 Textile Show Closing Reception | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | Local Cloth | Free | Enjoy an exhibition of fiber arts from 45 Local Cloth member artists, then place your bid on the works during a silent auction.
7 Origin Stories | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Black Mountain Public Library | $5-$10 | Celebrate Warren Wilson College’s anniversary during a discussion with Dr. Jeff Keith about the nuance of its origin story.

Friday, Aug. 9

48 Hour Film Project | Friday, Aug. 9-Saturday, Aug. 10 | Times vary | Asheville Pizza & Brewing North | $14 | Watch these works created in just two days, then stick around for a Q+A with the filmmakers.

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News Notes

Sports

Yesterday, Bryson City native Evy Leibfarth concluded her run at the Paris 2024 Olympics by finishing third in the kayak cross quarterfinal; only the first and second finishers advance to the semifinal. The WNC athlete still saw plenty of Olympic success after winning bronze in the canoe slalom. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Civic

Only two things in this world are certain — and one is that your Buncombe County property tax notices are now available online. The taxes are due Sept. 1, with a four-month grace period that allows you to pay through Jan. 6, 2025, without penalty. See important dates + learn about payment plans.

Edu

Beginning Monday, Sept. 9, Prismatic Services will host nine drop-in community meetings and an online forum to hear feedback on the feasibility of a merger between the Buncombe County and Asheville City school systems. The study was mandated by the NC General Assembly last year and results will be shared in February 2025.

Opening

Let’s get this party started. After a period of pop-ups and online only, Garden Party will be moving into 792 Haywood Rd., sharing that the shop will open in late summer. The business is in the midst of preparing the space, so keep an eye on social media for an opening date.

State

In preparation for the impact of Hurricane Debby along the coast, The Blood Connection is seeking donors to help with the likely increased need and limited supply. Check out the schedule of mobile drives around Asheville, and make an appointment.

Cause

Asheville Canoe House’s next Paddle for a Purpose will benefit the Asheville Humane Society. On Saturday, Aug. 24, you can show your support by floating down the French Broad River — and making sure local animals aren’t left up the creek without a paddle. Register with or without your own boat.

Arts

It’s getting hot in here. The NC Glass Center received a $100,000 grant from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative, which will be used to purchase and install two electric hot shop furnaces in the soon-to-be-opened Black Mountain location. The Implementation Grant is awarded to encourage climate action in the visual arts.

Announced

UNC Asheville has once again been named a “Best Buy” college by the Fiske Guide to Colleges — and there are so many reasons why. Bonus: They’re one of only ten public universities in the nation to earn this distinction.*

Home

Drafty windows = higher utility bills. Get beautiful Renewal by Andersen^® windows with a limited time buy one, get one 40% off deal — plus, take $200 off your order.*

Outdoors

💫 We’re seeing stars (well, meteors)

The Perseid meteor shower peak is just a few days away

Perseid meteor shower in the sky over a lake and hills

A radiant is the point where meteors appear to originate in a shower. | Photo by Arnas Goldbergas

In the wee hours of the morning, our sky will light up with a celestial show. The Perseid meteor shower, widely considered the best meteor shower of the year, is predicted to reach its peak on Monday, Aug. 12 or Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Christened in honor of the meteors’ radiant constellation Perseus the Hero, the Perseid shower will produce as many as 100 meteors per hour at its peak. (It’s worth noting that they actually come from a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle, not the constellation.)

The pre-dawn hours of Monday and Tuesday are the best time to see the Perseids around here, but if getting up early isn’t your thing, some meteors will be visible as early as 10 p.m. And if you want to get an advanced viewing, PARI — one of only two Dark Sky Parks in NC — is hosting a guided experience on Friday, Aug. 9.

The Buy

The Buy 8.06.24 (Affiliate)

Colorful felt tip pens, patterned file folders, and a rolling utility cart — because it’s back-to-school shopping season, aka the perfect time to stock up on office supplies and organization essentials.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

I live in a perpetual state of wanting to bring something new + exciting into my home — but not wanting to spend money or add to the clutter. Generally, that means that I avoid shopping altogether (or, more likely, unwisely give into my impulses), but The Golden Pineapple has offered a middle ground for music lovers. Today, Aug. 6, the bar is hosting its first ever Record Swap, so you can stop by with some vinyl you’d like to get rid of and trade it for new music. No money needed + no added clutter.

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