MLBPAA Honors Mark DeRosa with Blue Jays Heart and Hustle Award
One player from each MLB team wins respected honor voted on by Alumni players
WHO: Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Mark DeRosa winner of Heart and Hustle Award. DeRosa has been involved in Jays Care, a part of the Blue Jays organization that runs programs and outreach. The award is being presented by Alumni Major Leaguer Pat Hentgen, current Blue Jays bullpen coach. Hentgen spent the majority of his 15 year career with the Blue Jays, earned All-Star accolades three times, won the 1996 American League Cy Young Award, and was a World Series champion in 1993.
WHAT: The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce the 30 preliminary winners of the 2013 Heart and Hustle Award. This esteemed award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit, and tradition of the game.
The MLBPAA formed 30 committees, comprised of Alumni players with established relationships to each team. One player from each Major League team is chosen by the committees based on the passion, desire, and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. These players will be recognized prior to an upcoming home game. As the season draws to a close, fans, all Alumni and active players will vote to select the final winner from the 30 team winners. The previous overall winners are David Eckstein (2005), Craig Biggio (2006, 2007), Grady Sizemore (2008), Albert Pujols (2009), Roy Halladay (2010), Torii Hunter (2011), and Mike Trout (2012).
The final winner will be announced Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at the 14th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City. This event is the primary fundraiser for the series of free Legends for Youth Baseball Clinics. These clinics impact more than 15,000 children each year, allowing them the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from players who have left a lasting impact on the game of baseball. To purchase tickets to this event honoring Bobby Richardson and Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, email postoffice@mlbpaa.com.
For more information about the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA), visit www.baseballalumni.com or follow the MLBPAA on Facebook and Twitter @MLBPAA. The official hashtag for this award is #HeartandHustle.
About the MLBPAA
MLBPAA was founded in 1982 with the mission of promoting baseball, raising money for charity, inspiring and educating youth through positive sport images, and protecting the dignity of the game through its Alumni players. The MLBPAA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO with a membership of more than 6,400, of which approximately 5,300 are Alumni and active players. Alumni players find the MLBPAA to be a vital tool to become involved in charity and community philanthropy.
WHEN: Pre-game presentation on Saturday, August 10th, 2013
WHERE: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON Canada MSV 1J1
Contact: Nikki Warner, MLBPAA (719) 477-1870 x. 105 / nikki@mlbpaa.com
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