The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created in 1982 to promote the game of baseball, raise money for charity, inspire and educate youth through positive sport images, and protect the dignity of the game through former players.

Mission Statement

To promote the game of baseball, raise money for charity, inspire and educate youth through positive sport images and protect the dignity of the game through former players. A non-profit organization, the MLBPAA establishes a place where a player's drive for excellence and achievement on the field can continue long after they take their last steps off the professional diamond.

About the Organization

The MLBPAA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and currently has over 6,000 members: current and former major leaguers, umpires, managers, coaches, front-office personnel, and fans. Through its charitable efforts, the MLBPAA has raised $17.96 million for both local and national charities including, but not limited to Children's Hospitals, American Diabetes Association

American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based association working to fight the consequences of diabetes, and to help those affected by diabetes...

, Boys and Girls Clubs, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

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, Special Olympics

Special Olympics

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, Leukemia Society of America, the Salvation Army

Salvation Army

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, Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels

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 and Little League Baseball.

Legends for Youth Clinics

The Legends for Youth Clinic Series teaches young ballplayers (ages 6 to 16) the fundamentals of the game in a multi-station format, and stresses the importance of education to help kids recognize they have the ability to make positive decisions.

Swing with the Legends Golf Series

Created in 1984, the golf events have featured some of the greatest names in baseball history. Reaching more than 30 cities across the United States, the series raises funds for both local and national charites as well as the Alumni Association. These events are held at some of the premier golf courses around the nation and provide each participant with an exciting weekend with their favorite baseball stars of yesterday.

Legends for Youth Dinner

The Legends for Youth Dinner is the primary fundraiser for the MLBPAA's Legend for Youth Clinic Series. Established in 1999, the dinner recognizes former players' on- and off-field field accomplishments along with their contributions to communities across the nation. Other awards given out at the dinner for current Major League players include the National and American League Pitcher and Player of the Year Awards, the Dick Schaap Memorial Player of the Year Award, and the Heart and Hustle Award.

The dinner, held annually in New York City, is broadcast on Fox Sports Net. Past Youth Dinner honorees include the following:

• Hank Aaron
• Yogi Berra
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• George Brett
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• Jim Bunning
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• Orlando Cepeda
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• Roberto Clemente
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• Dom DiMaggio
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• Larry Doby
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• Bob Feller
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• Whitey Ford
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• Goose Gossage
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• Jim "Catfish" Hunter
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• Al Kaline
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• Harmon Killebrew
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• Roger Maris
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• Mickey Mantle
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• Juan Marichal
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• Tony Oliva
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• Tony Pérez
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• Frank Robinson
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• Jackie Robinson
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• Bill White

Heart & Hustle Award

Main article: Heart & Hustle Award

Heart & Hustle Award

The Heart & Hustle Award is given out annually by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association to a current player who not only excels on the field, but also "best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game."...

The Heart & Hustle Award was created by the MLBPAA in 2005 and is presented annually to the current player who demonstrates a "passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game." The winner is voted on by both alumni and active players and is awarded at the annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City.

Subsidiaries

To help former players, the MLBPAA wholly owns two for-profit organizations, MLAM (Major League Alumni Marketing) and MLAS (Major League Alumni Services).

Major League Alumni Marketing

MLAM was created to gain compensation for former players through endorsements and appearances, while protecting the names and likenesses of the individuals. Players are able to sign a Player Pool Agreement, which is a pool of group licensing and other marketing monies that are annually divided equally among the members. MLAM is separated into two divisions:

Legends Memorabilia Collection (LMC) is one of seven licensed dealers of authentic Major League Baseball memorabilia. LMC was started to fulfill a niche and offer memorabilia signed by any living player who has ever played the game. Throughout the year, LMC hosts numerous private signings with Hall of Famers and many miscellaneous players who have experienced the big leagues. In 2011, LMC sponsored over 100 live auctions at Major League Ball Parks.

Legends Entertainment Group (LEG) actively promotes players through endorsement deals and personal appearances. Since 1999, over $5 million has been paid to the alumni player (80% of these being non-Hall of Fame players).

Major League Alumni Services

MLAS strives to broaden membership programs including medical and pension benefits, while providing services outside the non-profit framework for the direct benefit of MLBPAA members such as free heart and lung care for former players, courtesy of Deborah Hospital.

MLBPAA Board of Directors

Chairman

• Jim Hannan

Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer

• Fred Valentine

Other Members

• Sandy Alderson
• John Doherty
• Denny Doyle
• Brian Fisher

• Joseph Garagiola, Jr.
• Doug Glanville
• Jim "Mudcat" Grant
• Rich Hand

• Steve Rogers
• Will Royster
• Jim Sadowski
• Jose Valdivielso

MLBPAA Officers

President

• Brooks Robinson

Vice Presidents

• Bob Boone
• George Brett
• Carl Erskine

• Mike Hegan
• Al Leiter
• Chuck Hinton
• Al Kaline

• Rusty Staub
• Robin Yount

External links

• MLBPAA Homepage
• MLBPAA Twitter
• MLBPAA Facebook