NewsHall of Famer Perry honored by MLBPAA
Pitching legend receives 2009 Alumni Achievement AwardRelated Links
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
11/06/09 9:30 PM EST
NEW YORK -- Hall of Famer Bob Feller, who turned 91 on Tuesday, assumed the podium for Major League Baseball's Player Alumni Association Legends for Youth Dinner to rousing applause inside the ballroom at the New York City Hilton. But the standout pitcher, who thanked fans for helping baseball players "avoid working for a living" was just the prelude. Feller, who has been called the greatest right-handed pitcher alive, was there to introduce the 2009 Alumni Achievement Award to fellow Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry. "I want to honor my dear friend and great pitcher, the only man who signs more autographs [than] me," Feller said, with a laugh. "I'm very proud to honor Gaylord for his achievements in baseball and as a human being." Those achievements were on full display on Friday night, as several hundred people turned out for the 10th annual event to honor Perry. After a two-minute video tribute showing the highlights of his time on the mound, Perry took the stage and deflected praise onto his good friends and former teammates, many of whom were in the crowd. "The alumni association are very special people," said Perry, who flew in from Arizona earlier in the day with plans to attend a charity event on Saturday. "They do a lot of stuff behind the scenes that you don't really get to know. I've been fortunate enough to go to [their events]." Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, Perry won 314 games over a 22-year career that started in 1962. He was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team and in 1999 The Sporting News ranked him 97th on its list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. The MLBPAA created the Legends for Youth Dinner in 1999 to recognize former Major League players for their on-field accomplishments coupled with their off-field contributions to communities across the world. "The MLBPAA is proud to recognize current and former Major League players for their accomplishments on this national stage," said Brooks Robinson, Hall of Fame third baseman and MLBPAA president. Current players honored who were not in attendance included two-time winner St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols (National League Player of the Year and Heart and Hustle Award) and Chris Carpenter (NL Pitcher of the Year), Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer (American League Player of the Year) and Kansas City Royals starter Zack Greinke (AL Pitcher of the Year). The proceeds from the dinner go to youth programming, which includes the Legends for Youth Baseball Clinic Series, a series of free baseball clinics designed to talk to youth about life skills, promote baseball and teach young players baseball fundamentals. "The life-skills station carries the most weight for the long term," said Denny Doyle, chairman of the youth clinic series. "It carries a little more strength and power coming from a Hall of Famer. We realize that puts a great deal of responsibility on our shoulders." Other guests at the dinner included Hall of Famer Tony Perez and former perennial All-Stars John Franco, Steve Garvey and Tommy John.Brittany Ghiroli is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
