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Branch Rickey Award

The Branch Rickey Award was given annually to an individual in Major League Baseball (MLB) in recognition of his exceptional community service from 1992 to 2014. The award was named in honor of former player and executive Branch Rickey, who broke the major league color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, while president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey also created the Knothole Gang, a charity that allowed children to attend MLB games.[1]

Branch Rickey Award
A Branch Rickey Award plaque at Coors Field
LocationDenver, Colorado
CountryUnited States
Presented byRotary Club of Denver
History
First award1992
Most recentAnthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
WebsiteThe Branch Rickey Award

The award, created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, was first awarded to Dave Winfield in 1992 at their annual banquet.[1][2] Each MLB team nominates one individual who best exemplifies the Rotary Club motto: "Service Above Self".[3][4] A vote is then conducted by the national selection committee, which consists of members of the sports media, previous winners of the award, and Rotary district governors in major league cities.[5] Proceeds of the banquet benefit Denver Kids, Inc., a charity for at-risk students who attend Denver Public Schools.[1] Each winner receives a bronze sculpture of a baseball player measuring 24 inches (610 mm), named "The Player", designed by sculptor George Lundeen. A larger version of "The Player", standing 13 feet (4.0 m) tall, was erected at Coors Field in Denver.[2]

Winners of the Branch Rickey Award have undertaken different causes. Many winners, including Todd Stottlemyre,[6] Jamie Moyer,[7] John Smoltz,[8] Torii Hunter,[9] Vernon Wells,[10] and Shane Victorino,[11] worked with children in need. Stottlemyre visited and raised money for a nine-year-old girl who suffered from aplastic anemia and required a bone marrow transplant,[6] while Moyer's foundation raised US$6 million to support underprivileged children.[7] Other winners devoted their work to aiding individuals who had a specific illness, such as Curt Schilling, who raised money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,[12] and Trevor Hoffman, who lost a kidney as an infant and devoted himself to working with individuals with nephropathy.[2] Also, some winners devoted themselves to work with major disasters and tragedies. Bobby Valentine donated money to charities benefiting victims of the September 11 attacks,[13] while Luis Gonzalez worked with survivors of Hurricane Katrina.[14]

Previous winners

The Branch Rickey Award that was presented to Dave Winfield in 1992.
Bobby Valentine won the award in 2002 in recognition of his charitable work for the survivors of the September 11 attacks.[13]
The Moyer Foundation, founded by Jamie Moyer and his wife, supports underprivileged children.[7]
Key
†Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
‡Denotes player who is still active
YearRecipientTeamPositionRef
1992Dave Winfield†Toronto Blue JaysOutfielder[15][16]
1993Kirby Puckett†Minnesota TwinsOutfielder[4][17]
1994Ozzie Smith†St. Louis CardinalsShortstop[18][19]
1995Tony Gwynn†San Diego PadresOutfielder[20][21]
1996Brett ButlerLos Angeles DodgersOutfielder[22][23]
1997Craig Biggio†Houston AstrosSecond baseman[24][25]
1998Paul Molitor†Minnesota TwinsDesignated hitter[26][27]
1999Al LeiterNew York MetsPitcher[28][29]
2000Todd StottlemyreArizona DiamondbacksPitcher[6][30]
2001Curt SchillingArizona DiamondbacksPitcher[12][31]
2002Bobby ValentineNew York MetsManager[13][32]
2003Roland HemondChicago White SoxGeneral manager[1]
2004Jamie MoyerSeattle MarinersPitcher[7][33]
2005Luis GonzalezArizona DiamondbacksOutfielder[14][34]
2006Tommy Lasorda†Los Angeles DodgersSenior vice president[35][36]
2007John Smoltz†Atlanta BravesPitcher[8][37]
2008Trevor Hoffman†San Diego PadresPitcher[2][38]
2009Torii HunterLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimOutfielder[9][39]
2010Vernon WellsToronto Blue JaysOutfielder[10][40]
2011Shane VictorinoPhiladelphia PhilliesOutfielder[11][41]
2012R. A. DickeyNew York MetsPitcher[5][42]
2013Clayton Kershaw‡Los Angeles DodgersPitcher[43]
2014Anthony Rizzo‡Chicago CubsFirst baseman[44]

See also

References

General

  • "Hank Aaron Award & Branch Rickey Award Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 13, 2012.

Specific

Retrieved from "https:https://www.search.com.vn/wiki/index.php?lang=en&q=Branch_Rickey_Award&oldid=1150391340"
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