Mike Shannon will help his home town kick off the holiday season in his role as Grand Marshal of the AmerenUE Thanksgiving Day Parade. A St. Louis native, Shannon broke into the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962 and became the team's regular right fielder during the 1964 World Championship season. During the 1964 Series opener vs. New York, Shannon hit a game-tying, two-run homer off Whitey Ford as St. Louis went on to defeat the Yankees in seven games. Throughout his 37-plus years as a radio broadcaster for the Cardinals, Shannon has also made appearances for the Cardinals television broadcasts, including a pre-game analyst for FSN Midwest. "We are absolutely thrilled to have a great St. Louisian like Mike Shannon as our Grand Marshal this year to help us celebrate the start of the holiday season and raise money for local charities," said John Nickel, Chairman of parade organizer, Christmas in St. Louis.
2009 HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL
The Two Millionth Eagle Scout, Anthony Thomas, will serve as this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal. The Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their 100th anniversary and what not better way to represent the Scouts then by inviting the Two Millionth Eagle Scout to St. Louis. Anthony is a junior at Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minn. and has been involved in Scouting since age 7. A member of the Northern Star Council’s Troop 471 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minn., he credits Scouting for his love of the outdoors and commitment to service. Adopted from Korea, Anthony volunteers as a counselor to Korean adoptees at Camp Choson. Anthony also spent part of his summer in New Orleans helping with ongoing clean up work from Hurricane Katrina. He is also active in his church and recently lettered in Service at his school. As Ambassador for the Boy Scouts, Anthony will also make an appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. St. Louis welcomes Anthony as the 2009 Honorary Grand Marshal for the AmerenUE Thanksgiving Day Parade.