Jose Mesa named winner of the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Deliveryman of the Month Award" for April

05/04/2005 10:38 AM ET

MLB Press Release

Jose Mesa of the Pittsburgh Pirates was selected as the winner of "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award" for April, it was announced today. Mesa is the inaugural winner of the officially-sanctioned Major League Baseball award, which recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher during each month of the regular season. The award is part of a new sponsorship agreement between Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) and DHL, the world's leading express delivery and logistics company, making DHL the "Official Express Delivery and Logistics Provider" of both organizations.

The "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award" winner is selected by a special Major League Baseball "yellow-ribbon" panel that includes Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley; Jerome Holtzman, the Official MLB Historian and a member of the Writer's Wing of the Hall of Fame; Rick Sutcliffe, 1984 NL Cy Young Award winner, ESPN and MLB International broadcaster; and Bob Watson Vice President, On-Field Operations, Major League Baseball.

DHL presents MLB Delivery Man of April

56k \| 350k	Jose Mesa Jose Mesa was 8-for-8 in save opportunities during the month of April, allowing just one earned run. He recorded his 300th career save on April 27.

MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award »

During the month of April, Mesa was eight for eight in save opportunities, saving each of the Pirates' victories for the month. The right-hander struck out 10, walked only two, and allowed just one earned run while posting a 1.13 ERA in eight appearances. In recording his eighth save of the season on April 27, Mesa became the first Dominican-born player, the third Latino player, and 19th pitcher in Major League history to record 300 career saves.

In recognition of this honor, DHL will donate $1,500 to a local chapter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the official charity of Major League Baseball, in Jose Mesa's name. In addition, Mesa will be recognized in a special advertisement appearing tomorrow, May 5th, in USA Today.

At the conclusion of the season, Major League Baseball fans will have the opportunity to determine which relief pitcher had the best overall season through the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award." A list of finalists will be selected based on statistical qualifiers and fans will be able to vote for the winner online at MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball. The "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award" will be presented during the Major League Baseball postseason.

About Major League Baseball Properties
The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Club's agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. Major League Baseball Properties is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rightsholders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and stock photo licensing agency, and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events. For more information about www.MLB.com.

About DHL
With annual revenues over $32 billion in 2004, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 170,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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