Ozzie Smith Flips Over Kingsford（R） Charcoal， Helps Fans Swing Into Grilling Season

　　OAKLAND, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring training for baseball great Ozzie "The Wizard" Smith no longer means warming up his swing; rather these days he typically can be found in his backyard warming up his grill. In fact, to usher in the new baseball season, Smith will be teaming with famed Alabama pitmaster Chris Lilly and Kingsford Charcoal with a version of "spring training" for his other favorite pastime: charcoal grilling.

    Smith, a year-round charcoal griller, encourages outdoor cooks to kick grilling season off much like baseball players do -- with spring training. "Many people wait until later in the spring -- or even summer -- to dust off their grills, which is a shame," said Smith. "As in all sports, warming up for the season is key, so when baseball teams head to camp, I know it''s time to step up my grilling game."

    Smith, who is widely cited as one of the greatest defensive baseball players of all time, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. The world champion shortstop, baseball analyst and father of three is an expert on all things baseball with a passion for sharing food with friends, especially when gathered around the grill.

    While the majority of grill owners say they use their grills year-round, 44 percent will increase usage to one to two times per week between May and August, the period typically identified as grilling season. With the early arrival of daylight saving time for the second year, backyard grillers have an even greater reason to take advantage of longer days by enjoying the smoky flavors of charcoal grilling.

    Backyard grillers and game-day tailgaters alike can warm up their grills this season with recipes created by Smith (including Home Run Rib Eye Steaks) and Lilly (Grilled Pork Chops with Apple-Cranberry Glaze). The tandem will work together this spring to encourage families and friends to gather around the grill and enjoy the experience of being together. Outdoor cooks can also amp up the flavor of their grilling experience by incorporating new Kingsford? Charcoal with Hickory, a briquet that contains high-quality hickory wood that adds just the right touch of sweet and hearty flavor.

    "One of my favorite barbecue competition tricks is adding hickory chips to my charcoal fire for that special sweet, Southern flavor. Now everyone can conveniently enjoy the same experience," said Lilly. "And for folks looking for an excuse to grill, baseball season is one of my favorites -- whether tailgating at the stadium or firing up the grill and inviting friends over to watch the game."

    A father of three and an award-winning barbecue competitor, Lilly is one of America''s best-known pitmasters with multiple Memphis in May World Championships and state barbecue grand championship titles across the Southeast. He emerged on the barbecue scene in 1992 when he began working for the world famous Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q restaurant in Decatur, Ala. and is now the vice president of the restaurant, which has since expanded to multiple locations in Alabama and North Carolina.

    For recipes by Smith and Lilly, grilling tips and more, visit MealsTogether.com. This unique Web site unites four Clorox brands -- Hidden Valley?, KC Masterpiece?, Kingsford? and Glad? -- in an effort to promote family togetherness. Each brand brings an important element of family dining to the table, and the Web site features a holistic experience that stimulates, inspires and enables families to create quality times together at home.

    The Clorox Company

    The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2006 revenues of $4.6 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers'' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Armor All? and STP? auto-care products, Fresh Step? and Scoop Away? cat litter, Kingsford? charcoal, Hidden Valley? and K C Masterpiece? dressings and sauces, Brita? water-filtration systems, and Glad? bags, wraps and containers. With 7,600 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in more than two dozen countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $66.3 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges; and in fiscal 2006 alone made product donations valued at $6 million. For more information about Clorox, visit http://www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

    The Kingsford Products Company, LLC

    The Kingsford Products Company, LLC is a subsidiary of The Clorox Company, headquartered in Oakland, Calif. Clorox is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2006 revenues of $4.6 billion. With 7,600 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in two dozen countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. For more information about Clorox, visit http://www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

    Source: The Clorox Company