The two appeared as guests at the Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet and recounted their time in the game on Thursday evening at the Genetti.

For Brown, who spent his entire six-year Major League career with the Phillies, the banquet was a kind of homecoming.

An outfielder, he played for the Crosscutters in 2007, hitting .295, the highest batting average on the team. His single one big season for the Phils came in 2013 when he compiled a .272 average with 27 home runs and 83 RBIs and a place on the National League All-Star team.

“It was a good year. I felt I should have hit .300,” Brown said.

Former Williamsport Crosscutters and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown talks with local baseball historian Jack Houston during the 2026 Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

What he remembered about playing in Williamsport as a young ballplayer was the vast ballpark.

A 20th-round draft choice who was named the number one prospect in the Phillies organization, he recalled struggling early on that season. But it was after meeting with a hitting coach that he got straightened out and went on to have a fine season.

“All I needed to do was just relax,” he said.

He made his Major League debut in 2010 and made the most of it, swatting a double in his very first at bat.

“I was excited. I was ready to go,” he said.

Former Phillies pitcher Ricky Bottalico talks with fans during the 2026 Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Interesting enough, Brown was considered by many to be more of a football player than a baseball player. The 6-feet-5-inch Brown was not only tall but fast and considered going to the University of Miami as a wide receiver.

But as he told the Sun-Gazette, “Baseball was always my first love.”

Looking back, Brown cited Phillies manager Charlie Manuel as a big influence.

“He made sure I was doing things the right way,” he said.

Being around teammates and hanging in the clubhouse is what he misses most about his playing days.

Former Phillies pitcher Ricky Bottalico is interviewed by Gabe Sinicropi during the 2026 Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Asked if he has any advice for kids playing baseball.

“Have more fun,” Brown said.

Bottalico took a bit different journey to the Major Leagues.

He was overlooked by baseball scouts as a catcher at Central Connecticut State University and it was only after he volunteered to pitch a game that he started to gain notice.

“My friend blew out his arm,” he recalled. “I struck out 12 in a row.”

ESPN commentator Tim Kirkjian is interviewed by Gabe Sinicropi during the 2026 Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

He later received additional notice from scouts while pitching in a summer amateur league.

“I was signed (to a contract) in the backseat of a car,” he said.

Bottalico made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 1994. Overall, he played five seasons for the Phils as well as with the Cardinals, Royals, Diamondbacks, Mets, and Brewers.

He carved out two big seasons for the Phillies, saving 34 games as a reliever in both 1996 and 1997. Bottalico made the all-star team in 1996 as a member of the Phils.

The game was held that year in Philadelphia.

Cutter’s public address announcer Rob Thomas holds a jersey from Francisco Lindoor that’s for sale in the charity auction during the 2026 Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“That was mind-bogging,” he said.

He recalled securing tickets for family and friends, including those who journeyed down from his hometown in Connecticut for the game.

What he perhaps remembers most about that day is walking out of the bullpen onto the playing field.

Bottalico recalled some of the lighter moments from his playing days and some of the unforgettable times, such as the day he plunked Barry Bonds with a fastball, setting off an on-field brawl.

A video of the event was shown to the banquet audience showing Bonds being hit then charging the mound where Bottalico stood ground and attempted to tackle the much bigger San Francisco Giant slugging star and all-time home run champ.

“He is huge,” Bottalico said. “No way I’m taking him down.”

He remembered being on the bottom of a pile of human bodies hoping he didn’t get stepped on by the spikes of players.

After the fight, he recalled Jeff Kent, the Giants second baseman, recently elected to the Hall of Fame, congratulating him.

“Jeff Kent smacked me on the butt,” he said with a grin.

Bonds and Kent were known to be less than friends.

These days, Bottalico is perhaps best known as the analyst on Phillies Pregame Live and Phillies Postgame Live as well as co-host of Unfiltered with Ricky Bo and Bill Colarulo.

He makes no apologies for his frank commentary, calling out players for bad plays.

“If you don’t, you’re a fraud,” he said.