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ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian & Janet Marie Smith, the brains behind Camden Yards, headline the Bethesda Big Train’s annual Base Ball & Holiday Auction on Sunday, November 13, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Davis Family Picnic Pavilion at Shirley Povich Field. 

“We are so pleased to welcome Tim back to an in-person Base Ball & Holiday Auction,” said Big Train founder Bruce Adams. “Tim’s reflections on the MLB season and World Series have been the highlight of many past Big Train holiday events. We are so fortunate to have this living baseball encyclopedia coming to Povich Field to share his thoughts with us so soon after the World Series. All true baseball fans and Tim’s peers want to know what Tim is thinking about the 2022 MLB season and World Series and what lies ahead, and we are the lucky ones who will be among the very first to know.”

In July, Tim was awarded the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) Career Excellence Award placing him in the writer’s wing at the Hall of Fame along with Shirley Povich, Grantland Rice, Wendell Smith, Peter Gammons, Roger Angell, and the rest of baseball's greatest journalists. We look forward to hearing Tim talk about what this Cooperstown honor means to him. Tim visits with the Big Train players every summer and our Big Train summer media interns have the high honor of being called Tim Kurkjian Sports Journalism Fellows. 

“As a decades long ballpark junkie and roadtripper, I am so excited to welcome Janet Marie Smith to Shirley Povich Field,” said Big Train founder Bruce Adams. “She’s one of my baseball heroes. Camden Yards broke all the rules. After Camden Yards, everything changed. And baseball fans will be forever grateful. Janet Marie Smith had the vision and the skill and the grit to make it happen.” In addition to talking about Camden Yards, she will share lessons from her work revitalizing Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium.

The annual Base Ball & Holiday Auction is how Big Train raises the funds to support our community service initiatives. For tickets to the November 13 event and/or to support Big Train, please click here.

In addition to Tim Kurkjian & Janet Marie Smith, Randy Schools will join Bruce Adams in presenting the Randy Schools Big Train Outstanding Service Awards. And we will enjoy cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, ice cream from Bruster’s, and Seth Goldman’s brand new Just Ice Tea in celebration of the 75th birthday of Big Train Founder Bruce Adams. We are also selling Big Train-branded fleece blankets just in case it's a little chilly!

Top items from our online auction — currently running through Tuesday, November 15 — will be on display to help you do your holiday shopping without worrying about the global supply chain.

We have several amazing items up for grabs, and here are a few featured ones!

Jack Rose Dining Saloon Bourbon Tasting for 5 with Washing Nationals Insider Dan Kolko

Value: $1,500

How well do you know your whiskey? Is all bourbon from Kentucky? Do you know the difference between bourbon and rye? Don't worry, we have no clue either. That's why we're partnering with our friends at the iconic Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, DC, for an immersive and educational whiskey tasting. You and up to four of your friends will enjoy a private whiskey tasting along with bourbon fan and Washington Nationals / MASN broadcaster Dan Kolko, hosted by Jack Rose and their team of whiskey experts. Each guest will receive a complimentary bottle, as well as a $100 gift certificate to Jack Rose to enjoy food and drink after the tasting. Tasting must be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon date with Dan Kolko prior to the start of MLB Spring Training 2023.

Golf & Lunch for Two at Congressional Country Club

Value: $1,000

Congressional Country Club is the crown jewel of golf in the DMV, having hosted the 1964, 1997, and 2011 U.S. Open, the 1976 PGA Championship, and the 2022 Women's PGA Championship. The course is also set to host the 2027 Women's PGA Championship, the 2031 PGA Championship, and the 2037 Ryder Cup. Now is your chance to get a round in with a friend at this legendary venue and enjoy lunch in the palatial clubhouse. Any golf fan would be out of bounds if they missed out on this potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Adley Rutschman Orioles Shirt & Signed Baseball

Value: $80

The Orioles surprised to the upside this year, and a big part of that was their rising star, Adley Rutschman. Rutschman came up and made his debut on May 21 and helped the Orioles push for the playoffs right until the very end of the season. The future is very bright for this O's team, and Rutschman is a HUGE reason why. Celebrate this Orioles rising star with a baseball signed by him AND a t-shirt featuring Rutschman (size XL).