The Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, welcomed back Bucky Dent Wednesday evening to the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe, for their annual Winterfest. Dent, who led the Clippers to an International League Championship in 1987, will return as manager for the 2003 season.

Dent managed in the Yankees farm system from 1985-1989 but then pursued other coaching jobs. As a player, Dent is most noted for hitting a three-run home run in a 1978 divisional playoff game for the Yankees against the Red Sox. He went on to become the World Series MVP that year.

Dent’s Bobble-Head doll will be kicking off the 2003 Yankees Legend Series Bobble-Head giveaways on April 6. Many other Yankee legends will have Bobble-Heads given away including: Catfish Hunter, Yogi Berra, Lou Gerhig, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. The Bobble-Heads will be given out on certain Sunday home games. Everyone with a reserved seat ticket is guaranteed a Bobble-Head.

There are other promotions the Clippers are holding at Cooper Stadium this season. Many of which are geared toward a college crowd.

“We want to get back in touch with a younger audience,” said Jason Kidik director of marketing and promotions.

For the first time, the Clippers staff is holding a college night as an event of its own.

There are promotions on other days that are appealing to students. Every Monday night home game will offer some sort of food special. Among the specialty priced items are ten-cent hot dogs, Slyder sandwiches from White Castle and chicken wings.

Every Tuesday home game is ladies night. Ladies can purchase general admission tickets for just 95 cents. According to Scali, there will be special giveaways for ladies on these nights, such as a dozen roses being given away to certain lucky ladies.

In addition to the weekly specials that will be held there is a college night party planned for this upcoming Clippers season.

“On Friday night, May 30, we will hold a college night party. Sororities, and Fraternities, and other student clubs can sell tickets to this game to raise money for their organization. There will be a special college student party in the stadium before the game. We are working to book a local band for the night. We also want to try to find some sort of food with some local flavor to cater the event,” said Scali.

For some the inconvenience of having to drive to a game might deter them from attending.

“We will consider things such as a shuttle to and from games for college students, if we start to notice a large enough college crowd,” Kidik said.

More information on promotions, ticket sales, and a schedule for the upcoming season can be found on the Internet, at http://www.Clippersbaseball.com

“It’s baseball, it’s a good atmosphere, a fun atmosphere, and you get a chance to see future stars,” Dent said.