Colorado Springs -- The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce that Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona will be honored with the Brooks Robinson Community Service Award at the 19th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 8, at Capitale.
The Brooks Robinson Community Service Award is given annually by the MLBPAA to a current or former Major League Baseball player, coach or manager. The recipient's community service exemplifies the unselfish and humble attitude of Brooks Robinson, bettering the lives of the youth in his community. The award is given in honor of the dedication Robinson has shown to young people across the country through his support of the Legends for Youth Clinic Series and the MLBPAA since its inception in 1982. Previous winners include Clint Hurdle, Adam Jones, Jamie Moyer, Jim Thome, Tim Wakefield and Manny Acta.
Due to his significant accomplishments both on and off the field, Terry Francona will honored as the 2018 Brooks Robinson Community Service Award winner.
A champion on and off the baseball diamond, Francona is extremely active in his community, raising money for cancer research and creating a pasta sauce to help fund inner-city participation in sports and education. The pasta sauce, called Tito Francona & Son Pasta Sauce, was created by Terry and his late father, John "Tito" Francona and is sold at grocery stores across Ohio with a portion of proceeds going to Cleveland Indians Charities. Francona also spearheaded the creation of the Larry Doby Youth Fund in 2016, when he made a donation of one million dollars to provide grants for underserved youth in Cleveland, Ohio on behalf of the Cleveland Indians, calling it the proudest moment in his baseball career.
After a 10-year playing career, Francona held various coaching positions with the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics. From 1997 to 2000, Francona managed the Philadelphia Phillies and went on to manage Team USA in the 2001 Baseball World Cup. In 2004, Francona became the manager of the Boston Red Sox where he led the club to two World Series titles, including their first in 86 years. After his managerial career with the Red Sox ended in 2011, Francona spent the 2012 season as an ESPN analyst until he was named manager of the Cleveland Indians for the 2013 season - leading the Indians to a playoff berth in his first season en route to his first American League Manager of the Year Award. Francona led the Indians to the World Series in 2016 and received praise for his effective use of relief pitchers, earning him his second American League Manager of the Year Award.
"Terry is one of the most fantastic guys I've ever met before," said MLBPAA President and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. "He's active in the community and he's just an all-around guy. He's been a real success."
The Legends for Youth Dinner aims to recognize former Major League Baseball players for their accomplishments on the diamond coupled with their off-the-field contributions to communities across the nation. The 14th annual Heart and Hustle Award will be given as well.