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.
The award, created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, was first awarded to Dave Winfield in 1992 at their annual banquet. Each MLB team nominates one individual who best exemplifies the Rotary Club motto: "Service Above Self". 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. Proceeds of the banquet benefit Denver Kids, Inc., a charity for at-risk students who attend Denver Public Schools. Each winner receives a bronze sculpture of a baseball player measuring , named "The Player", designed by sculptor George Lundeen. A larger version of "The Player", standing tall, was erected at Coors Field in Denver.
Winners of the Branch Rickey Award have undertaken different causes. Many winners, including Todd Stottlemyre, Jamie Moyer, John Smoltz, Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, and Shane Victorino, 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, while Moyer's foundation raised US$6 million to support underprivileged children. Other winners devoted their work to aiding individuals who had a specific illness, such as Curt Schilling, who raised money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Trevor Hoffman, who lost a kidney as an infant and devoted himself to working with individuals with nephropathy. Also, some winners devoted themselves to working with major disasters and tragedies. Bobby Valentine donated money to charities benefiting victims of the September 11 attacks, while Luis Gonzalez worked with survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
Previous winners
+Key Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Denotes player who is still active
YearRecipientTeamPositionRefToronto Blue JaysOutfielderMinnesota TwinsOutfielder St. Louis CardinalsShortstopSan Diego PadresOutfielder Los Angeles DodgersOutfielderHouston AstrosSecond baseman Minnesota TwinsDesignated hitter New York MetsPitcher Arizona DiamondbacksPitcher Arizona DiamondbacksPitcherNew York MetsManagerChicago White SoxGeneral managerSeattle MarinersPitcherArizona DiamondbacksOutfielderLos Angeles DodgersSenior vice presidentAtlanta BravesPitcherSan Diego PadresPitcherLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimOutfielderToronto Blue JaysOutfielderPhiladelphia PhilliesOutfielderNew York MetsPitcherLos Angeles DodgersPitcherChicago CubsFirst baseman
See also Roberto Clemente Award Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award (Players Choice Awards) Bart Giamatti Award Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Baseball awards Cy Young Award
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