Florida Sports Hall of Fame Baseball Player Luis Gonzalez Serves as Grand Marshal,
MOR-TV Personality Steve Wilkos Joins as Special Guest
TAMPA, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2022) – The iconic Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, presented by MOR-TV and co-sponsored by the City of Tampa, will return to historic Ybor City on Saturday, Feb. 11. Serving as the 2023 parade Grand Marshal will be Florida Sports Hall of Fame baseball player and Tampa native Luis “Gonzo” Gonzalez. In addition, MOR-TV personality Steve Wilkos will be joining as a special guest for the parade. Founded in 1972, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago is currently celebrating its 50-year anniversary, marking the milestone at its Coronation on Jan. 7. For parade registration, bleacher seating, and information on the Coronation and other related events, visit KreweSantYago.org.
“We’re honored to have Luis Gonzalez, one of Tampa’s all-time greatest athletes, join us as Grand Marshal for the Knight Parade,” said Joseph J. Parrino, Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago member and 2023 parade chairman. “Luis has done a lot for the community and his recent induction into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame was a proud moment for Tampa.”
As Grand Marshal, Gonzalez will lead off the 2023 Knight Parade, which begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. A fleet of illuminated floats will roll down Seventh Avenue in historic Ybor City, accompanied by dozens of marching bands, local dignitaries, and thousands of participants as they throw colorful beads to an expected 100,000 spectators. Proceeds from the Knight Parade benefit the Krewe’s Education Foundation, which has provided more than $4 million in higher education scholarships since it was established in 1994. Each year, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation awards scholarships to deserving students at local colleges and universities, including the University of South Florida.
Luis Gonzalez grew up in Tampa, attending local primary schools and playing baseball at West Tampa Little League from age 6 to 15. After graduating from Jefferson High School, Gonzalez played college baseball at the University of South Alabama, coming home to Tampa between seasons to be with his family and community. As a professional, Gonzalez played 19 seasons for six MLB teams. His best years were with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he was one of the most popular players in the organization’s history. His game-winning hit in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series against New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera clinched the Diamondbacks’ first and only World Series championship to date. Gonzalez was a five-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2001. In addition to good power (354 career home runs), Gonzalez was known as an exceptional gap hitter. His 596 career doubles currently rank 19th on the all-time MLB list. After retiring from baseball in 2008, Gonzalez joined the Diamondbacks’ front office in 2009 as a special assistant to the president. The following year, the team retired his uniform number #20, making him the first player so honored by the Diamondbacks. Now a member of West Tampa Memorial American Legion Post 248, Gonzalez works diligently to give back in Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa.
Sponsors also include Stepp’s Towing Services, the official tow company of the Knight Parade. For more information on the 2023 Knight Parade, visit KreweSantYago.org.
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About Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago
Since 1974, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago has organized and hosted the Knight Parade, an annual celebration of Tampa civic pride. Each year, the Knight Parade, as well as other fundraising events, helps raise funds for the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation, which has provided more than $4 million in scholarships for local students. Visit KreweSantYago.org for more information.
About MOR-TV
MOR-TV is a Hearst Television owned and operated television station in Tampa Bay and is one of America’s top Independents. MOR-TV features the best in off-network comedies, talk, dramas and more, featuring The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Neighborhood, The Goldbergs, Mom, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Family Guy, The Jennifer Hudson Show, Steve Wilkos, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Karamo, Tamron Hall and more. MOR-TV is one of three stations in a group that includes MeTV Tampa Bay’s memorable television channel featuring the best of the best of television shows, dramas, and comedies from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Also included is estrellaTV Tampa Bay, the fastest growing Hispanic entertainment channel in America. MOR-TV’s website isMOR-tv.com. Find us on social media @mortampa.
About Stepp’s Towing Services, Inc.
Founded in 1960, Stepp’s Towing Service, Inc. is a family-owned and operated towing and recovery business that has served West Central Florida with the utmost towing and transport services for 62 years offering top quality light, medium and heavy-duty wrecker and dispatch services, emergency roadside assistance and customer support with a well-trained, adept and experienced team of towing professionals. Headquartered in Tampa Bay, FL, the company is equipped with a fleet of over 300 towing and vehicle transport units offering services in multiple locations including Orlando, Clearwater and Lakeland, FL. Positioned as one of the highest rated and revered towing services in the state of Florida, Stepp’s Towing has significantly and successfully expanded its business incorporating industry relevant services such as heavy transportation, auto salvage, and is the official race recovery partner for NASCAR and INDYCAR. For more information on Stepp’s Towing and its portfolio of services, please visitwww.steppstowing.com or follow us on Facebook.com/SteppsTowingandHeavyTransport.