Online fan voting has begun for the 2014 Branch Rickey Award, presented by the Rotary Club of Denver. This is the second year fans have been asked to vote for their favorite baseball player for the Branch Rickey Award and enter a drawing for a trip to Denver for the 23rd annual Branch Rickey Award event in November. Fans can access online voting through Facebook at www.facebook.com/BranchRickeyAwards or by visiting the Branch Rickey Award website at www.branchrickeyaward.org.
Fans may vote once a day until 11:59 p.m. MST on Aug. 17.
Unlike the many baseball awards that are based on statistics, the Branch Rickey Award recognizes individuals who give unselfishly of themselves to their communities. All of the honorees personify Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self”.
Each major league team was asked to nominate a humanitarian from their team for the 2014 award. A national selection committee, comprised of 450 members of the sports media, past award winners, baseball executives and Rotary district governors, has been invited to vote on the nominees. The Fan Vote will be taken into account in selecting the winner.
The Rotary Club of Denver will announce the 2014 Branch Rickey Award honoree in mid-September. This year’s winner, along with all of the previous recipients, will be invited to attend the Branch Rickey Award dinner and Xtra Innings after party on Nov. 14 at the McNichols Event Center in downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park. The winner will be inducted as the 23rd member of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame. Presenting sponsor is AMG National Trust Bank.
Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Denver Rotary Club Foundation and its programs. For ticket and silent auction information, visit www.BranchRickeyAward.org.
2014 Branch Rickey Award Nominees:
Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt*
Atlanta Braves Craig Kimbrel*
Baltimore Orioles Darren O’Day
Boston Red Sox Craig Breslow
Chicago Cubs Anthony Rizzo*
Chicago White Sox John Danks
Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto
Cleveland Indians Justin Masterson
Colorado Rockies Michael Cuddyer
Houston Astros Jason Castro
Kansas City Royals Billy Butler
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Hank Conger
Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier
Miami Marlins Steve Cishek
Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun
Minnesota Twins Glen Perkins*
New York Mets David Wright
New York Yankees David Robertson
Oakland Athletics Sean Doolittle*
Philadelphia Phillies Chase Utley*
Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen*
St. Louis Cardinals Jason Motte
San Diego Padres Yonder Alonso
San Francisco Giants Sergio Romo
Seattle Mariners Felix Hernandez*
Tampa Bay Rays Joe Maddon
Texas Rangers Adrian Beltre
Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista*
Washington Nationals Ian Desmond
* All-Star Team
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