Former Giants catcher Buster Posey will be in the field at this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. (Associated Press file)
PEBBLE BEACH – Eight years between appearances has given former San Francisco Giants catcher and three-time World Series champion Buster Posey time to improve his swing in a different game.
Posey is headlining a star-studded field of celebrities — including five first-timers — that have committed to this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with tournament play from Feb. 2-5.
Posey, who retired after the 2021 season, helped bring the city of San Francisco its first three World Series titles. He hasn’t played at Pebble Beach since pairing with former teammate Matt Cain in 2015.
“Buster was a huge hit when we brought him in that one year,” CEO and tournament director Steve John said. “We were actually a little overwhelmed with the reaction when he was here. We’re better prepared and excited this time. He reached out and said he was looking forward to coming back. Plus he’s had a little more time to practice his game.”
Last year the Pro-Am portion of the tournament welcomed six new celebrities. This time John has five new stars cemented for the event.
Among them is Lego Masters host Will Arnett, who played Batman in The Lego Batman movie, and Jason Bateman — who Arnett co-starred in the award-winning comedy series “Arrested Development.”
“Ticket sales are driven by celebrities and athletes,” John said. “And sales are up from last year’s record number. We have a nice mix. Lukas Nelson made a big impact last year in his first appearance.”
Nelson, the son of icon Willie Nelson is returning this year, while fellow country music star Eric Church will debut in the 77th running of the Crosby Clambake.
“Eric has never played here,” John said. “Comedian Nate Bargatze (Grammy award winner) is coming for the first time, along with Illenium.
Posey isn’t the only Bay Area legend who will take part in the event, which is played on the courses of Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
Former 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN analyst Steve Young is a fan favorite, along with Larry Fitzgerald, who holds every Arizona Cardinals receiving record.
Fitzgerald, who stepped away from football in 2021, is a former two-time Pro-Am winner, having won the event in 2018 and 2020.
“Larry is quality,” John said. “I’ve never been around a pro athlete that has the respect of everyone in the room. Not just athletes. But celebrities and CEOs. He’s so genuine. He’s so grounded and humble and willing to give his time.”
A slew of musicians have signed up for the tournament, including Train’s Pat Monahan, country music singers Darius Rucker and Jake Owen and rapper and Seattle sports fanatic Macklemore.
Notable celebrities returning to the event include actors Scott Eastwood, the son of Clint Eastwood, and Josh Duhamel, as well as singers Ben Rector and ScHoolboy Q.
In addition, 2015 Miss American beauty pageant titleholder Kira Dixon will take part in the event, along with actor Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks in the French Prince of Bel-Air, and is well known for his dance ‘The Carlton’.
As of now, one of the tournament’s all-time favorites Bill Murray has not committed. But there is time, as a few slots are held open, mainly for NFL players.
Last year Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was a late entry when his team was eliminated in the playoffs.
“At this point, we do not know where some of the NFL players will finish,” John said. “We have spots we can fill. We hold a few in the event that someone comes in late. But we try and have the field set with the understanding that the unknown is the football players.”
Originally published at John Devine