The RubberDucks Hot Stove Banquet has become a winter tradition in Akron and Friday night showed why. The Hilton Garden Inn was packed as temperatures outside fell to zero. For a few hours, baseball fans (like yours truly) were able to forget about the weather and focus on America’s Pastime.
At my table, people were thinking about questions for the guest speaker. I asked one gentleman what he wanted to know. He said, “If Clase is cleared of charges, will he ever pitch again for the Guardians?” Someone else wanted to ask about payroll. I sat next to Mary Ann and her son Casey. Casey is a RubberDucks season ticket holder. I hope to see him again at a game this spring.
Ray Horner, the voice of Akron and WAKR, started things off with a warm welcome. Jim Pfander, President and General Manager of the RubberDucks, took the stage to thank sponsors, supporters, and staff who made the banquet possible. He also introduced the team’s new ownership group—The Prospector Baseball Group, led by John Abbamondi and Ben Boyer—which acquired the RubberDucks from Ken Babby’s Fast Forward Sports Group in December. Pfander then looked back at the event’s 10-year history, noting past guests like Indians legend and Hall of Famer Jim Thome. This year the spotlight belonged to Chris Antonetti, President of Baseball Operations for the Cleveland Guardians.
To help turn up the heat, we watched a highlight video from the Guardians’ 2025 season. Tom Hamilton’s iconic calls played over the highlights, capturing the excitement of the Guardians’ climb to win the AL Central after being 15.5 games back. You talk about chills. Reliving the historic comeback was thrilling!
Horner and Antonetti took the stage together for a conversation, with Horner moderating. It was relaxed and super engaging. Horner started with questions about the state of the game, then let the audience join in. The result was a lively discussion that lasted almost 90 minutes and covered everything from new rules to the future of small-market teams.
Baseball’s Ongoing Changes
Antonetti explained some of the latest changes coming to Major League Baseball. The new ABS (Automated Ball Strike) Challenge System will debut this year after a lot of testing in the minors. After a pitch, the pitcher, batter, or catcher can challenge the call, and the review happens almost instantly. Each team has two challenges, with a possible third if the game goes into extra innings. Antonetti said, “Within seconds, you see on the scoreboard whether or not the call is correct or whether or not they overturn it.” Read more about the ABS system.
Another new tool is Trajekt, a high-tech training machine for hitters. Batters can face a virtual version of any pitcher they’ll see in a game projected onto a big screen. “You stand in the batting cage,” Antonetti said. “All of the pitches…replicate the exact velocity, spin profile, and movement that a pitcher has.” This allows hitters to prepare for any starter or reliever before ever stepping into the box.
Labor Talks and Small Market Concerns
The conversation shifted to the business of baseball, especially the uncertainty after the 2026 season when the current collective bargaining agreement ends. Antonetti didn’t mince words: “In all candor, markets like ours, the current economic system in baseball, it doesn’t really work because you can see the disproportionate difference between what large-market teams have available…and what we can spend is only continuing to grow.” He said there’s a real desire throughout the league to address competitive balance and hopes both sides can settle things before a work stoppage.
Prospects and Player Development
Antonetti also gave updates on some of the Guardians’ top prospects. Travis Bazzana is healthy and expected to start the year in the minors. Ralphy Velazquez, a first baseman, stands out for his feel for the strike zone and exit velocities. Angel Genao, a shortstop, battled injuries last season but has a lot of potential. Catcher Jacob Cozart drew praise for his defense. Antonetti compared him to Austin Hedges, but with a grin said Cozart has a better bat so far.
He also talked about Cleveland’s approach to acquiring and developing players, emphasizing the G.R.I.T. framework. The team looks for players who have a Growth mindset, stick to good Routines, have a clear plan for Improvement, and are good Teammates. “We believe character and makeup impact performance,” Antonetti said.
Offseason Moves and a Bit of Fun
The Guardians focused on adding bullpen depth this winter. Their biggest signing was Shawn Armstrong, a former Indians draft pick, who joins a group that includes Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith. The team chose not to go after a big-name bat. Antonetti explained that the right position player either wasn’t available or a good fit and the team wanted to keep at-bats open for its young players.
To lighten things up, Antonetti offered $20 to anyone who could name the Guardians’ big free agent signings before the 2022 season. Amazingly, a young fan named Tommy got it right and collected the cash. The answer? Bryan Shaw and Luke Maile. The point was clear: the Guardians have won their division before without signing big-name free agents.
World Series Rain Delay
One fan asked Antonetti about the infamous 2016 World Series rain delay. He described going down to a suite behind home plate, where Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner, and other officials were discussing whether to postpone Game 7 until the next day. Antonetti and Cubs President Theo Epstein both pushed to finish the game that night, not wanting to drag out the outcome any longer.
Giving Back to the Community
The banquet was about more than just baseball. There was a silent auction and a raffle with a portion of the proceeds going to the Cleveland Clinic, which Antonetti named as his charity of choice this year. It was a reminder that the RubberDucks, and the game itself, play a role in the larger community.
Pitchers and catchers start reporting to Spring Training on February 10. As folks left the banquet, I’m sure they were already looking forward to another baseball season and grateful for a night that made the long Northeast Ohio winter feel just a little bit shorter. Nights like this remind us why baseball matters—not just for the game, but for the people it brings together. Go Guardians!
J.W. Mulpas resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is Indians legend and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. J.W. is the creator of CLEBoxscoreBeat.com and is also a contributor at Prospects1500.com. You can follow him on X @CLEBoxscoreBeat.
Akron RubberDucks
RubberDucks Turn Up the Heat with Annual Hot Stove Banquet
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