GaryMrMets
02-12-2002, 02:04 AM
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/features/alumni/curt.html
2001 Branch Rickey Award
Curt Schilling Selected as the 10th Annual Award Winner
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling has been named the winner of the tenth annual Branch Rickey Award for outstanding community service after being chosen from a slate of nominees submitted by all Major League Baseball clubs. Presented by the Rotary Club of Denver and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player, manager or executive who unselfishly contributes to his community, personifying the Rotary International motto, "Service Above Self."
Schilling will receive the award in Denver, Colorado on November 16, 2001 at the tenth annual Branch Rickey Award banquet. "Curt was selected by a panel of sports media and Rotary District Governors in Major League cities, as well as others associated with baseball, because of his numerous contributions to the community, his high ethical standards, and his position as a strong role model for others, especially young people," commented Jim Pallasch, Branch Rickey Award Chairman.
Curt and his wife, Shonda, have raised $1.5 million for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) since 1993. Upon his arrival in Arizona, the Schillings have donated $500,000 to the Arizona ALS Chapter and another $500,000 to the United Way of the Valley of the Sun. These monetary contributions come with distinctive "hands on" involvement from Curt Schilling and throughout the 2001 season, he will contribute $100 per strikeout and $1000 per win to fight ALS.
Schilling has encouraged baseball fans to join him in Curt's Pitch for ALS, and is tireless in his efforts to raise awareness of the disease. He was also named Baseball's Most Caring Athlete by USA Today Weekend and received the Philly of the Year Award from the March of Dimes in 1996. Despite leaving the Phillies in midseason, he was the 2000 winner of the Humanitarian Award from the Philadelphia Sportswriters Association.
Previous recipients of the Award include:
Todd Stottlemyre, Arizona Diamondbacks (2000)
Al Leiter, New York Mets (1999)
Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins (1998)
Craig Biggio, Houston Astros (1997)
Brett Butler, Los Angeles Dodgers (1996)
Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres (1995)
Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals (1994)
Kirby Puckett, Minnesota Twins (1993)
Dave Winfield, Toronto Blue Jays (1992)
The late Branch Rickey, known to millions as "Mr. Baseball" was credited with breaking the color barrier in the Major Leagues when he signed Jackie Robinson, the first modern-day black player, in 1945. Additionally, Rickey helped introduce the farm system and stimulated baseball's expansion program. An advocate for underprivileged children, he helped to develop the famous "Knot Hole Gang" to provide youth with a chance to attend big league games.
The Denver Rotary Club Foundation awards up to $250,000 annually to charitable programs with an emphasis on youth programs in Denver. Denver Kids, Inc. is a cooperative project of the Denver Public Schools and the Denver Rotary. Underprivileged, at-risk kids are identified and matched with mentors who serve as role models.
For more information on the 10th annual Branch Rickey Award banquet please send us an email <mailto:postoffice@mlbpaa.com>.
Written by Wade Den Hartog, MLBPAA
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/features/alumni/images/schilling2.jpg
2001 Branch Rickey Award
Curt Schilling Selected as the 10th Annual Award Winner
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling has been named the winner of the tenth annual Branch Rickey Award for outstanding community service after being chosen from a slate of nominees submitted by all Major League Baseball clubs. Presented by the Rotary Club of Denver and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player, manager or executive who unselfishly contributes to his community, personifying the Rotary International motto, "Service Above Self."
Schilling will receive the award in Denver, Colorado on November 16, 2001 at the tenth annual Branch Rickey Award banquet. "Curt was selected by a panel of sports media and Rotary District Governors in Major League cities, as well as others associated with baseball, because of his numerous contributions to the community, his high ethical standards, and his position as a strong role model for others, especially young people," commented Jim Pallasch, Branch Rickey Award Chairman.
Curt and his wife, Shonda, have raised $1.5 million for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) since 1993. Upon his arrival in Arizona, the Schillings have donated $500,000 to the Arizona ALS Chapter and another $500,000 to the United Way of the Valley of the Sun. These monetary contributions come with distinctive "hands on" involvement from Curt Schilling and throughout the 2001 season, he will contribute $100 per strikeout and $1000 per win to fight ALS.
Schilling has encouraged baseball fans to join him in Curt's Pitch for ALS, and is tireless in his efforts to raise awareness of the disease. He was also named Baseball's Most Caring Athlete by USA Today Weekend and received the Philly of the Year Award from the March of Dimes in 1996. Despite leaving the Phillies in midseason, he was the 2000 winner of the Humanitarian Award from the Philadelphia Sportswriters Association.
Previous recipients of the Award include:
Todd Stottlemyre, Arizona Diamondbacks (2000)
Al Leiter, New York Mets (1999)
Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins (1998)
Craig Biggio, Houston Astros (1997)
Brett Butler, Los Angeles Dodgers (1996)
Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres (1995)
Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals (1994)
Kirby Puckett, Minnesota Twins (1993)
Dave Winfield, Toronto Blue Jays (1992)
The late Branch Rickey, known to millions as "Mr. Baseball" was credited with breaking the color barrier in the Major Leagues when he signed Jackie Robinson, the first modern-day black player, in 1945. Additionally, Rickey helped introduce the farm system and stimulated baseball's expansion program. An advocate for underprivileged children, he helped to develop the famous "Knot Hole Gang" to provide youth with a chance to attend big league games.
The Denver Rotary Club Foundation awards up to $250,000 annually to charitable programs with an emphasis on youth programs in Denver. Denver Kids, Inc. is a cooperative project of the Denver Public Schools and the Denver Rotary. Underprivileged, at-risk kids are identified and matched with mentors who serve as role models.
For more information on the 10th annual Branch Rickey Award banquet please send us an email <mailto:postoffice@mlbpaa.com>.
Written by Wade Den Hartog, MLBPAA
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/features/alumni/images/schilling2.jpg