Byron Buxton To Headline 17th Annual First Pitch Classic
11/20/2025 12:15:00 PM | Baseball
MACON – Former second overall pick, Byron Buxton, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Mercer baseball team's 17th Annual First Pitch Classic on January 26 in Hawkins Arena, head coach Craig Gibson announced today.
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The First Pitch Classic serves as the Mercer baseball program's premier fundraising event, and has marked the official start of the season for the last 16 years. Tickets to this year's event can be purchased for $100 and includes dinner as well as a cash bar that will be open throughout the event's entirety.
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A raffle will take place throughout the night as well, with tickets being sold separately. Any raffle ticket purchases MUSTÂ be separate from any other purchases.
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The 17th Annual First Pitch Classic will begin with an autograph session at 5:30 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m. Tables (10 seats) for the event can be purchased for $1,000, while limited-quantity sponsorships - which include prominent business advertisements, drink tickets and 2025 season tickets - can be pre-purchased as well.
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Byron Buxton, a center fielder and designated hitter, has spent his entire 11-year major league career with the Minnesota Twins. Buxton was an MLB All-Star in 2022 and in 2025. The Baxley, Georgia, native won his first Silver Slugger award this past season after slashing .264/.327/.551 with 35 home runs, 21 doubles and 83 RBIs. In 2017, Buxton finished with 24 Defensive Runs Saved, the highest among all center fielders, and his 2.8 Defensive WAR was the second-best in the MLB. These marks resulted in Buxton being awarded not only a Gold Glove, but the Platinum Glove, naming Buxton as the best defensive player in the American League in 2017.Â
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Originally committed to the University of Georgia, Buxton decided to skip college and began his professional career in 2012 when the Twins drafted him with the second overall pick out of Appling County High School. After a quick journey through the minor leagues, Buxton made his MLB debut in 2015 against the Texas Rangers on June 15.
For more information on tickets, table reservations or sponsorships for the 2025 First Pitch Classic, contact Matt Williams at firstpitchclassic@mercer.edu or (478) 301-2738.
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The First Pitch Classic serves as the Mercer baseball program's premier fundraising event, and has marked the official start of the season for the last 16 years. Tickets to this year's event can be purchased for $100 and includes dinner as well as a cash bar that will be open throughout the event's entirety.
Â
A raffle will take place throughout the night as well, with tickets being sold separately. Any raffle ticket purchases MUSTÂ be separate from any other purchases.
Â
The 17th Annual First Pitch Classic will begin with an autograph session at 5:30 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m. Tables (10 seats) for the event can be purchased for $1,000, while limited-quantity sponsorships - which include prominent business advertisements, drink tickets and 2025 season tickets - can be pre-purchased as well.
Â
Byron Buxton, a center fielder and designated hitter, has spent his entire 11-year major league career with the Minnesota Twins. Buxton was an MLB All-Star in 2022 and in 2025. The Baxley, Georgia, native won his first Silver Slugger award this past season after slashing .264/.327/.551 with 35 home runs, 21 doubles and 83 RBIs. In 2017, Buxton finished with 24 Defensive Runs Saved, the highest among all center fielders, and his 2.8 Defensive WAR was the second-best in the MLB. These marks resulted in Buxton being awarded not only a Gold Glove, but the Platinum Glove, naming Buxton as the best defensive player in the American League in 2017.Â
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Originally committed to the University of Georgia, Buxton decided to skip college and began his professional career in 2012 when the Twins drafted him with the second overall pick out of Appling County High School. After a quick journey through the minor leagues, Buxton made his MLB debut in 2015 against the Texas Rangers on June 15.
For more information on tickets, table reservations or sponsorships for the 2025 First Pitch Classic, contact Matt Williams at firstpitchclassic@mercer.edu or (478) 301-2738.
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| TICKET PRICES (INCLUDES EVENT ADMISSION + DINNER) |
| Tickets: $100/seat Tables: (10 Seats): $1,000 To purchase tickets or tables, contact Matt Williams at firstpitchclassic@mercer.edu or call (478) 301-2738 |
| SPONSORSHIPS (LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE) |
GOLD SPONSOR: $5,000
|
| BYRON BUXTON AUTOGRAPHS |
$100 per item
|
| RAFFLE (SOLD SEPARATELY) |
$200/ticket
|
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