B.A.T. Honors 1968 World Series Teams at 19th Annual Dinner

David Wright and Dmitri Young honored

01/29/2008 -- Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) will host its 19th annual "Going to Bat for B.A.T. Dinner" tonight, honoring the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals 1968 World Series teams. Founded in 1986, B.A.T. is dedicated to assisting members of the baseball family through financial grants, healthcare programs and rehabilitative counseling. More than $16 million in grants have been awarded to date, benefiting more than 2,100 members of the baseball family.

ESPN broadcaster Gary Thorne and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, the analyst for ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball," will emcee the event at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. St. Louis Cardinals' Hall of Fame pitcher and member of the 1968 Cardinals World Series team Bob Gibson is the Dinner's Chairman. Members of the 1968 World Series Teams that are expected to attend include Wayne Comer, Denny McLain, Jim Northrup, and Daryl Patterson from the Detroit Tigers and Ron Davis, Julian Javier, Tim McCarver, Mike Shannon, Orlando Cepeda and Bobby Tolan from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Two individual awards are also given at the dinner each year, the Big BAT/Frank Slocum Award and the Bart Giamatti Award. Washington Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young will be presented with the 2008 Big BAT/Frank Slocum Award for exemplary service to the B.A.T. organization. Young's financial generosity and support has been instrumental in helping provide much needed assistance to numerous members of the baseball family. New York Mets third baseman David Wright will be recognized for his community work with the 2008 Bart Giamatti Award for best exemplifying the compassion demonstrated by the late Baseball Commissioner.

This year, more than 125 former and current players, including several members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, are expected to attend, including: Luis Aparicio, Whitey Ford, Juan Marichal, Jim Palmer, Robin Roberts, Ozzie Smith, and Billy Williams.

At the "Going to Bat for B.A.T. Dinner," fans are given the opportunity to interact with former Major League Baseball players while raising money to assist members of the baseball family who have fallen on hard times. The night's festivities include a cocktail hour in which attendees have the opportunity to meet and obtain autographs from former players. Guests are seated with former players at each table during the dinner and award presentations. All proceeds from the dinner go to B.A.T.

B.A.T. was founded by former Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, a group of former players and Major League Baseball. In addition to assisting ex-Major League players, B.A.T. also offers support to former Major League managers, coaches, scouts, umpires, front office personnel, Minor League players, Negro League players, their widows and children and players from the Women's Professional Baseball League. All aid provided by B.A.T. is strictly confidential, allowing those in the need to receive help discreetly.

Through charitable contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals, B.A.T. strives to provide a means of support to people who are unable to help themselves. B.A.T. is a 501-© 3 charitable organization.

For more information about B.A.T. or to make a donation please visit: http://www.baseballassistanceteam.com.

Source: MLB

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