There was fun to be had off the field, too - 2009-06-14
By ALAN PEPPARD
The Dallas Morning News
Published Sunday, June 14
The celebrities in town for this weekend's Reebok Heroes Celebrity Baseball game were among the thousands of people who had to go to Plan B when wrath-of-God thunderstorms struck Dallas.
Part of the proceeds from the game go to the Mike Modano Foundation, so it was fitting that Mike's restaurant, Hully & Mo, host the annual boys' night out for the players where everyone eats, drinks and teases one other about how bad they all play baseball.
Alas, Hully & Mo's got zapped with an electricity outage.
Happily, Bill Esping volunteered The Place at Perry's, the steakhouse across the street from Hully & Mo's named for Bill's late father, Perry Esping.
The testosterone-laden bash went ahead with Mike joined by teammates Brenden Morrow and Marty Turco as well as former 'N Sync members Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, baseball major-leaguer Ben Grieve and Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson.
Published Monday, June 15
Whatever adjectives you choose to describe Mark Cuban, competitive would have to be near the top of the list. At Saturday's Reebok Heroes Celebrity Baseball game, a charity event in Frisco, the Red Socks played the Black Socks. Both teams were made up of celebrities and a lot of current and former pro athletes.
But it was the Dallas Mavericks owner who hit the game-winning, two-run double at the top of the ninth inning to bring victory to the Black Socks in front of 5,000 people at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
For his effort, Mark was named game MVP.
Also contributing to the Black Socks' win was Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten, who is good at pulling down any kind of ball from the air.
During the game, Jason made a Willie Mays catch that won the crowd's respect.
Willa's with the band
The night before the big game, Celebrity Heroes players and VIPs gathered for an '80s-themed party at Centennial Hall at Fair Park featuring a performance by the band Steel Panther.
Those who stayed late enough got a brief serenade from singer Willa Ford and two-fifths of 'N Sync. Willa, Lance Bass and Joey Fatone each took turns singing with the band.
Modano wigs out
But it was Willa's husband, hockey star Mike Modano, who was the real crowd pleaser. He got into the '80s feel of the evening by donning a long, curly wig, a sleeveless mesh shirt, aviator sunglasses and a leather vest.
Part of the proceeds from the Celebrity Heroes weekend went to the Mike Modano Foundation.
When he stepped up to the microphone for his opening remarks, he wasn't immediately recognized. Most thought he was a member of Steel Panther.
Mike's teammate Brenden Morrow also got into the '80s vibe, wearing a white, spiky wig.
