Robin Roberts |
LOS ANGELES -– Given his credentials and accomplishments that led him to become one of Major League Baseball’s premier pitchers in the mid-1900s, it is fitting that Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Roberts has been chosen to receive the “Scout’s Dream” Award at the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s 7th Annual “In The Spirit of the Game” Sports and Entertainment Spectacular on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.
“A Scout’s Dream Award” is presented to a player for outstanding achievement in baseball history. Roberts joins a select group of honorees including Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, The Birmingham Black Barons, Dave Winfield, George Brett and Barry Bonds.
The Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation has helped baseball scouts in need due to job loss, illness or financial hardships over the past six years through the success of the annual “In The Spirit of the Game” Sports and Entertainment Spectacular. Dennis Gilbert heads the foundation.
“While our elder statesmen of baseball are the only ones that can claim to have competed against Robin Roberts, all of us can attest to the fact that Robin was undoubtedly one of the game’s most dominant pitchers during an important era in Major League Baseball history,” Gilbert said. “Robin’s achievements, talent and value to his teams serve as the perfect resume in receiving the “Scout’s Dream” Award from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation. We are thankful to everyone lending the necessary support to our baseball scouts through our Jan. 16 event.”
Roberts will receive the Player Lifetime Achievement Award at the gala, which is annually attended by 1,500 guests, including many prominent figures from the world of sports, entertainment and media.
A 1976 Hall of Fame inductee, Roberts began his 19-year Major League career with the Philadelphia Phillies (1948-61) before moving on to play with the Baltimore Orioles (1962-65), Houston Astros (1965-66) and Chicago Cubs (1966). For his career, Roberts’ record was 286-245 (he is ranked 27th on MLB’s all-time win list) with a 3.41 ERA, 2,357 strikeouts, 305 complete games and 45 shutouts.
Roberts’ prominent years came with the Phillies, the team he played with while leading the National League in single-season wins from 1952-55, being named The Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year in 1952 and 1955, and earning seven National League All-Star berths (1950-56).
In 1950, Roberts was the leader of the Phillies’ young core of talent that was dubbed the “Whiz Kids” and he led the Phillies to their first NL pennant in 35 years. Roberts was a six-time 20-game winner and 300-inning pitcher (1950-55), led the National League in shutouts in 1950, in strikeouts in 1953 and 1954, and in complete games from 1952-56, including a streak of 28 consecutive complete games.
Other honorees at the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s star-studded 2010 “In the Spirit of the Game” Sports and Entertainment Spectacular include Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa and former Los Angeles Dodgers star Manny Mota, among others yet to be determined.
The Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s 2009 honorees included Bill Bartholomay, the Buddy Bell family, Bobby Cox, Preston Gomez, Tony Gwynn, Larry King, Dave Winfield and scouts Ralph Avila, Stan Benjamin, Eddie Bockman, Joe DiCarlo, Tom Giordano, Al LaMacchia and Joe Lewis.
In years past, the event has honored many legendary baseball Hall of Fame players, managers, scouts, coaches and executives, including Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax, and Cal Ripken, Jr., as well as Goose Gossage, Whitey Herzog, Eric Gagne, Curt Schilling, Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch, the Boone Family, the Brett family, the Alou family, Major League Baseball executive Pat Gillick, the Boeckmanns, legendary baseball scouts George Genovese, Dave Garcia, Hank King, Gene Bennett, Mel Didier, Epy Guerrero, Moose Johnson, Lenny Yochum and the late Bob Zuk. Past attendees include: MLB Commissioner Allan H. “Bud” Selig, Rod Carew, Tommy Lasorda, Frank McCourt, Arte Moreno, Jerry Reinsdorf, Lew Wolff, Mark Attanasio, Brady Anderson, Bret Saberhagen, Chase Utley, Darrell Evans, Don Newcombe, Barry Zito, Joe Borchard, Alyssa Milano, Don Johnson, Tom Arnold, Jane Seymour, James Keach, Michael McDonald, Donnie Most, Mary Hart and Kenny Loggins.
Tickets and sponsorship packages are available to the public by calling 310-996-1188.
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