Tommy John headlines baseball banquet on Jan. 24

Adult tickets cost $35. John will speak and sign autographs. More information available soon.

Darin Williams has lined up a big name for his big winter event.

Williams, the owner of the Golden Eagles, said Tommy John will be the headliner for the Glens Falls Golden Eagles Hot Stove Banquet on Jan. 24. The event will be at Fort William Henry in Lake George.

John was a major-league pitcher for more than 25 years, including stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. He's often associated with a surgical procedure, now referred to as "Tommy John Surgery," that repairs damaged ligaments in an arm.

"Hot Stove" banquets are often held by baseball teams or groups during the offseason to bring together followers of the sport. John will speak and sign autographs at the Jan. 24 event.

Williams said he was hoping to use the banquet to raise awareness about the Golden Eagles and promote East Field's 30th anniversary.

"There are so many people who don't know about this team; they think of it as a glorified Little League team," Williams said. "When you bring in Tommy John, it legitimizes the baseball team."

John makes a number of public appearances throughout the year. Last winter, he spoke at the Mohawk Valley Baseball Hall of Fame dinner in Little Falls.

Williams said adult tickets are expected to be $35. More information about attending will be available at a later date.

It's not the first time a big name has appeared at a Hot Stove banquet in this area. During the 1980s, the Glens Falls Tigers hosted an event at the Civic Center that featured Brooks Robinson.