Ryne Sandberg talks to fans at the 2007 Step Up to the Plate! fundraiser.

Jan. 27, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - - -

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The Virginia Baseball Team held its fifth annual "Step Up to the Plate!" event Friday night inside Memorial Gymnasium. More than 600 Cavalier fans turned out to meet the 2007 Cavaliers and hear Hall Famer Ryne Sandberg speak.

"We are so fortunate to have probably the best second baseman in the game and a great Hall Fame Legend in Ryne Sandberg speak," UVa head baseball coach Brian O'Connor said. "Our players enjoyed hearing him speak this afternoon and the community was really excited he came to Charlottesville to help up kick off our 2007 season."

Several former Cavalier players turned out for the event including Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, rising stars Joe Koshansky and Mark Reynolds and Boston Red Sox pitcher Javier Lopez. Charlottesville resident and close friend to the UVa baseball program, New York Mets closer Billy Wagner was also in attendance.

Cavalier fans had the opportunity to receive autographs from the 2007 team as well as interact with players, coaches and the major leaguers in attendance. A silent auction as well as a live auction took place with all proceeds going towards the UVa baseball program. Sandberg addressed the audience for about 30 minutes.

"To see the support that UVa has here ... it's a first-class program," Sanberg said. "I have been impressed since I got here and there seems to be some avid baseball fans here [at Virginia]."