SEATTLE -- Charlie Furbush hasn't been able to pitch for the Mariners for the past year and a half, but the southpaw reliever continued making such an impact off the field that he will receive the 2016 Al "Moose" Clausen Community Service Award on Nov. 19.
The award will be presented by the Mariners RBI Club at its annual Toys for Kids Fundraiser at the Bellevue Hyatt Evergreen Ballroom.
Furbush opted to become a free agent last week after the Mariners outrighted his contract to the Minor Leagues due to his ongoing shoulder issues. The 30-year-old underwent left rotator cuff surgery in August and isn't expected to pitch this coming season. Furbush hasn't pitched in the Majors since running into shoulder problems midway through the 2015 season, but he was a big part of the Mariners' bullpen from 2011-15, posting a 4.02 ERA in 230 appearances with Seattle.
The Moose Clausen Award is given to those who have made significant contributions to the community. Furbush co-chaired the Mariners Care Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament from 2014-16 and has also been active in the Toys For Kids program as well as the annual Mariners Caravan that travels to communities around the state each offseason.
Furbush serves on the advisory board for the Taylor Hooton Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates kids about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs, and he has also spread that message to Boys & Girls Club members in the annual PLAY Campaign at Safeco Field focused on children's health and fitness.
Furbush also supports the Baseball Assistance Team, which helps professional baseball alumni in need of financial assistance.
The award has been given annually by the RBI Club since 2001. Previous winners have been Jamie Moyer, Dan Wilson, Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, Rick Rizzs and Dave Henderson, Raul Ibanez, Dave Valle, John Olerud, Howard Lincoln, Bill Krueger, Julio Cruz, Jack Zduriencik, Eric and Kate Wedge, Michael Saunders and Alvin Davis.