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WINTER 2020

Instructors and participants pose for a group photo at the Legends for Youth clinic in Camden, Ark. on January 25, 2020.

CURRENT AND FORMER MLB PLAYERS SHARE WISDOM WITH CAMDEN YOUTH

By Alex Matyuf / MLBPAA “The little facets of the game that day, every day.” people often tend to overlook, AMDEN, Ark. – On a sunny day in Davis, who will begin his third season sometimes we want to go from A Camden, Ark., 122 aspiring with the Blue Jays, was joined by his baseball players arrived at to Z, you know when we step into C brother-in-law and teammate Anthony Camden Fairview High School on this game,” said Davis. “You can ask Saturday, January 25 to learn baseball anybody, if you want to play at the top Alford, as well as former MLB players skills, drills and life lessons from current level, we work on the fundamentals all , Rich Thompson and and former major and minor league Continued on page 3 players at the Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) Legends for Youth Clinic Series. The clinic was hosted by Blue Jays centerfielder and Camden native Jonathan Davis through his JD 3:21 Foundation. The foundation’s purpose is to spread the John 3:21 scripture and empower the youth through faith, sports, education and mentorship. Davis’ return to his alma mater did just that. centerfielder and Camden native, Jonathan Davis, praises participants of the Legends for Youth clinic in Camden, Ark. on January 25, 2020.

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS TABLE OF CONTENTS CURRENT AND FORMER MLB PLAYERS SHARE BASEBALL WISDOM WITH CAMDEN YOUTH �������������������������������������������������������������������� 1-3 NEW MLBPAA & MLAM BOARD MEMBERS ������������������������������������������������ 4-5 WHERE ARE THEY NOW: ������������������������������������������������6-7 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 MLBPAA ASSISTS THOSE IN FINDING CAREERS ONCE THE CHEERING STOPS ������������������������������������������������������������������������9-10

Visit: baseballalumni.com/necrology IN REMEMBRANCE OF for our updated obituaries and archive. BASEBALL LEGENDS May they rest in peace.

MLBPAA Board of Directors Geoff Hixson – Chief Operating Officer MLAS Board of Directors

Jim Hannan – Chairman David Mindell – Secretary/ Treasurer & – Chairman and President General Counsel Fred Valentine – Vice Chairman – Chairman Emeritus MLAM Board of Directors Jean Afterman, , Eddie Robinson – President Emeritus , , Jim Poole – Chairman – Secretary/Treasurer Brian Fisher, Todd Haney, , , Jerry Hairston, Jr., Joe Garagiola, Jr., , , LaTroy John Doherty, Evan Kaplan, , Steve Rogers, Hawkins, , , Brian McRae, Ethan Orlinsky, Andy Parton, MLAS Officers Directors Emeritus , Ed Weber Denny Doyle, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Steve Rogers – Chairman and President MLAM Officers Jose Valdivielso Craig Skok – Chairman Emeritus MLBPAA Officers Jim Poole – Chairman Eddie Robinson – President Emeritus Orestes Destrade – Vice Chairman – Chairman Jason Phillips – Secretary/Treasurer – President Emeritus Fred Valentine – Vice Chairman Dan Foster – Chief Executive Officer Vice Presidents – President – Chief Operating Officer Fergie Jenkins, Al Leiter, Geoff Hixson Vice Presidents Andy Parton, David Mindell – General Counsel & , , , Assistant Secretary Dan Foster – Chief Executive Officer , Geoff Hixson – Chief Operating Officer Brian Fisher – Assistant Secretary David Mindell – Secretary/Treasurer & Dan Foster – Chief Executive Officer General Counsel www.baseballalumni.com | [email protected] | 1-800-336-5272 Looking for a tax-free deduction? The MLBPAA is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Under the IRS code, your contributions, other than dues, are fully tax deductible. Contributions can be made in the form of cash, securities or real estate. Check with your accountant or tax advisor regarding which is best for you. All checks should be made payable to the MLBPAA and sent to: 1631 Mesa Avenue, Suite D Colorado Springs, CO 80906

2 WINTER 2020

Continued from page 1 The MLBPAA facilitated 185 Legends for kicked off the year with three Legends Gary Wilson. These former major Youth clinics in 2019, reaching more for Youth clinics in Curacao in early leaguers were also joined by six current than 16,000 kids with 920 instructors. January. and former minor league players. The organization’s mission is to promote the game of baseball, raise Davis’ parents, Jacovis and Iretha Davis, were also in attendance and “It’s not even so much about trying to money for charity, inspire and educate assisted with the clinic, which included make this kid become a D1 athlete or youth through positive sport images various stations that teach baseball player, because and protect the dignity of the game that’s kind of not that realistic to do through former players. fundamentals such as , that in three hours, right,” Alford said. The Camden clinic was the firstclinic throwing, catching, pitching, fielding “So it’s really about just giving back.” the MLBPAA hosted in 2020, after they and hitting.

Former Dustin Moseley works with participants on baseball techniques at the Legends for Youth clinic in Camden, Ark.

“It’s awesome,” said Jacovis Davis. “I station, giving them the opportunity game, and how to play the game,” remember when he was this age, you to work with each instructor. At the Jonathan Davis said. know we went to some baseball games conclusion of the clinic, instructors and after the game he used to address the participants as one group Overall, the players feel that this is just the bases after the game just going to discuss life lessons, such as the another way of giving back to the game around sliding so it meant a lot to him importance of education, respecting that they love. then and I know it means a lot to these their coaches and elders and saying “Anyone can just sit there and write a young kids.” “no” to illegal substances. check and give money,” said Alford. But Throughout the duration of the clinic, “For me, [it’s fulfilling] being able to actually being there in the flesh and participants break up into groups teach these kids at a young age the giving your time, that’s the best thing based on their ages and rotate to each fundamentals and the rules of the you can do.”

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A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 3 BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS

NEW MLBPAA AND MLAM BOARD MEMBER PROFILES

We would like to recognize our outgoing board members for their outstanding service to the MLBPAA Board of Directors, and announce our newly appointed board members. Thank you to Denny Doyle, Doug Glanville, Jim "Mudcat" Grant, , Fernando Tatis and Jose Valdivielso, for their unwavering support, assistance and vision in making the Alumni Association better every day. Please read on below to learn about our new board members for both MLBPAA and MLAM.

JEAN AFTERMAN MLBPAA Entering her 19th season as Senior Vice named a 2010 Women of the Year President and Assistant GM of the New nominee by Women in Sports and York Yankees, Afterman joined the Events (WISE), a Sports Business club with a diverse business and legal Journal Game Changers honoree in background, having previously focused 2017, and twice earning a spot on the on international sport and licensing, 50 Most Powerful Women in with an emphasis on U.S. and Japanese list published by the . relations. Prior to her time with the Most recently, Afterman received the Yankees, Afterman managed her own inaugural Trailblazer of the Year Award practice, specializing in representation from , recognizing her for athletes through arbitration leadership, expertise and tremendous proceedings, as well as worked for KDN accomplishments in her almost 20 Sports Inc. Afterman has garnered years with the Yankees. PHOTO CREDIT: ROB TRINGALI/MLB PHOTOS VIA GETTY IMAGES numerous accolades, including being

PEDRO FELIZ MLBPAA Born and raised in Azua, Dominican as a in 2006 and Republic, Feliz spent 11 years in the plays turned as a third baseman in Major Leagues with the Giants, Phillies, 2009. Feliz also had four 20- Cardinals and Astros. Primarily a seasons, from 2004 to 2007, but may third baseman during his service be most notably known for his RBI that time, Feliz was known for his above knocked in the eventual game-winning average fielding, winning a Fielding run of the 2008 for Bible Award for his efforts in 2007, and . leading the in assists

PHOTO CREDIT: RICH PILLING/MLB PHOTOS VIA GETTY IMAGES

4 WINTER 2020

JERRY HAIRSTON, JR. MLBPAA A member of one of only four three- to spend time with the Cubs, Rangers, generation families, Hairston, Jr. Reds, Yankees, Padres, Nationals, recorded 16 years in the Majors as a Brewers and Dodgers. A highlight of his and , though career was his win he managed to play every position while with the Yankees. Hairston, Jr. has except for pitcher and during previously worked for ESPN and MLB his career. Hairston Jr.’s grandfather Network, and now works as a studio Sammy, father Jerry, Sr., uncle Johnny, analyst for LA, contributing and brother Scott all made it to the to pre- and post-game shows, as well as highest level as well. Hairston, Jr. joined covering and offseason the family business by making his debut programs. with the Orioles in 1998, before going on

TODD HANEY MLBPAA PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL SPINELLI/MLB PHOTOS VIA GETTY IMAGES Haney was drafted of University of Texas at Austin after the Longhorns made a trip to the 1987 . He went on to spend parts of five seasons in the majors, with the Expos, Cubs and Mets, primarily as a second baseman. Following his time in the Majors, Haney founded the Waco Storm Baseball Club in 2004, before joining Texas State University as the Director of Player Development for the Bobcats. Haney is now the Head of summer-collegiate baseball team the Victoria HarbourCats.

JIM THOME MLAM

Hall of Fame Thome Just as notably, Thome was known for spent 22 years in the Major Leagues, his efforts off the diamond, winning the majority of his time spent in the Man of the Year , Philadelphia and , Award in 2001 and 2004, the Roberto with stints in Minnesota, Clemente Award in 2002 and the Lou and . Thome’s 612 career Gehrig Memorial Award in 2004. In home runs rank him eighth all-time, 2011, the Major League Baseball Players and during his career he received Alumni Association bestowed him numerous accolades for his on-field with the Brooks Robinson Community performance, including five All-Star Service Award. Thome currently serves appearances, a , as Special Assistant to the Senior Vice PHOTO CREDIT: 2006 Player of the President/General for the ALEX TRAUTWIG/MLB PHOTOS VIA GETTY IMAGES Year, and six 40-home run seasons. White Sox.

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 5 BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? DAVE CAMPBELL

Gary Thorne (left) and fellow ESPN host Dave Campbell (right).

PHOTO CREDIT: ESPN IMAGES

By Alex Matyuf / MLBPAA or Dave Campbell, his ended, the television station I was working road [games],” said Campbell. “They told impact on the baseball world did for offered me a job in sports television me as long as I lived in Colorado it didn’t F not lie solely in his playing career. at that time, so that kind of turned into a matter. In fact, they didn’t mind me living Instead, Campbell excelled in his second career,” Campbell said. in Colorado Springs at all, but I thought I broadcasting career with the was going to be on the road all 80 games, With big baseball names coming up from Padres, ESPN and the . so I didn’t think I’d be making that drive up the minor leagues to manage – including [the interstate] to Denver.” Campbell’s baseball career began at the , and University of Michigan. He played on the – Campbell knew he had to keep up with While juggling two demanding 1962 National Championship baseball team them in some capacity. broadcasting jobs, Campbell also took a side as a sophomore and signed with the gig recording voiceovers for the MLB: The “None of them were really top-flight Tigers in 1964. After splitting time between Show video game series from 1999 to 2011. players so they went on to either have Hall AAA and the major league club with the of Fame careers or close to Hall of Fame “That was fun,” Campbell said. “It’s the only Tigers from 1967 to 1969, Campbell was careers [as managers] because they learned thing that impressed my grandkids! I’d tell traded to the . While the game and I felt like I had to learn the them ‘oh, I used to be a major league player’ Campbell continued in the league for five game too, because I just wasn’t a name [and they’d say] ‘yeah but we heard your more seasons, it was while in San Diego player,” said Campbell. voice on MLB: The Show!” that he found his true calling. Campbell felt that he had the ability to During this time, Campbell would fly into Campbell’s broadcasting opportunity arose explain the game in “fairly simple terms” San Diego every November from either out of a less-than-ideal circumstance while and be succinct about his delivery. After he Colorado or Idaho and spend three or four with the Padres in 1972. was hired with the Padres, his broadcasting days reading script. “[It] was actually a blessing when I tore my career took off. Achilles tendon in 1972,” said Campbell. “I had partners like and Matt Eleven years after broadcasting with the “The Padres were televising 18 games. Vasgersian and the crazy thing was we’d Padres, Campbell joined ESPN in 1990, That’s all they were televising in those days say things ‘well Vin, I thought that that while also broadcasting for the Colorado but it was just one guy doing it. So I talked was outside’,” Campbell said. “Well I Rockies from 1994 to 1997. Campbell would to the general manager and asked him if I was reading script in a studio in San Diego go on to spend 21 years with ESPN at the could be the color guy.” and he was reading script in a studio in Los highest level. Angeles at a different time and somehow Campbell didn’t ask to be paid for his “I was doing 100 events a year for ESPN and they had the ability to marry all those efforts, either. Instead, he requested that trying to do the Rockies,” Campbell said. “I things together through the magic of the general manager put him up in a hotel wasn’t getting home an awful lot.” technology.” and provide money for food. At the time, Campbell lived in Colorado With ESPN, Campbell worked on While his playing career ended in 1974 with for 10 years and was the Astros, Campbell accepted a Springs, Colo., about 60 miles south of Denver. When he took the job with the an analyst for Wednesday and Friday minor league managing position for one night baseball games from 1990 to 2003. year in 1977 until the broadcasting job Rockies, they were only televising 80 road games. Campbell then went to ESPN Radio while opened up again with the Padres in 1978. analyzing televised games in 1999 and “[My 1972 color commentary] went well “The first year I got there, they decided also broadcasting enough that when my [playing] career they wanted to do 40 home games and 40 alongside well-recognized broadcasters

6 WINTER 2020

MEMBER BENEFITS

Sports Management Worldwide (Former Liberty University (Former Players and Players & Professionals) — the leading provider Spouses) — is pleased to offer all eligible of online sports business career training is members a 15% discount on 400+ online offering $300 off any 8-week online course. degree programs. Most programs are 100% Classes include Baseball Analytics, Baseball GM online and are offered in an 8-week format. and Scouting and Athlete Management. Please email Adam Harring, [email protected], ThirdHome (All Members) — a luxury home exchange and travel club that offers MLBPAA for more information, and reference your members complimentary membership, as Membership Catalog for discount codes and well as five (5) travel credits when you enroll additional details. All member benefit information and deposit two qualifying weeks. The Trusted is also available in the Clubhouse. Traveler Program is also available to those who do not wish to deposit time at their own property, and offers the first year of Have an idea for a benefit you’d like to see membership at no cost (a $2,500 savings!). added to your benefits catalog? Send an email to [email protected]

such as , this fall to visit Switzerland, Austria, and . Germany and Italy. Campbell worked until he was nearly 70 Campbell looks back fondly on his eight- years old and is now retired, splitting his year career in the majors. time between Post Falls, Idaho and San “I just keep thinking about how even Diego. Now Campbell’s focus has shifted though I didn’t have a great career, I to traveling with his wife, with whom have the one year I still cherish,” said he’s visited Europe seven times. Campbell. “I only 20 home runs in “Through my travels through baseball the big leagues, but I hit one off of Tom and the minor leagues and everything Seaver and and one off of else, I’ve been to 48 states here,” said and two off of , Campbell. “I’ve been everywhere except so five of my 20 home runs were against

Vermont and North Dakota. We’ve been Hall of Famers. Every time I used to see IMAGES LABRANCHE/ESPN RICK CREDIT: PHOTO to Canada a couple of times because we Bob Gibson at the World Series – because live in Idaho half the year and spend half he would come with the commissioner the year in .” – he would look at me and just go ‘I don’t Major League Baseball analyst Dave want to hear about it’.” Campbell and his wife have another Campbell is shown on the Baseball Tonight studio set. month-long trip to Europe planned

PLAYERS AND SPOUSES ARE INVITED TO JOIN US AT AN ALUMNI DAY THIS SEASON! VISIT THE EVENTS CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING DATES AND LOCATIONS. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE BALLPARK SOON!

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 7 BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS 9 18 16,681 270

920 overall: 85,000 51

14 81 $9

1,665 8,541 4,560 15 Professional, Fan, 1,940 or Other Wives 376 Club

56% 26% 18% 1,536

SECOND ANNUAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT $70 47 33

8 WINTER 2020

MLBPAA ASSISTS THOSE IN FINDING CAREERS ONCE THE 9 CHEERING STOPS Jay Paris /Special to MLB.com 18 16,681 270 920 51 overall: 85,000 HORNER/MLB.COM KENT CREDIT: PHOTO

14 81 $9 (left) listens as (right) moderates a panel at the second annual Career Development Summit in San Diego.

an Diego – Ryan Spilborghs was "We identified a severe issue and and transition service partner. "Most moving about at a hectic pace that is guys transitioning out of the people would rather do anything but and one wondered if he got his game,'' said Dan Foster, the CEO of network. But it doesn't have to be a S the MLBPAA. "Some handle it well and big deal. Just think of it as having a sports confused. some not so well.'' conversation.'' 1,665 "OK, two minutes,'' said Spilborghs, 15 a former major leaguer and current That's why guys that chased Right-hander has heard 8,541 4,560 Rockies and MLB radio broadcaster. and fly balls were running head first the chatter of what lies beyond painting into their post-baseball life. This corners. While he's a hoping Professional, Fan, "Two minutes!" conference was about preparing these to pitch next season, he knows there's or Other 1,940 The drill was the goal of absorbing prospective employees to make an more to living than owning the inside Wives more information during the next impression with getting face time with of the plate. Club panel at the Major League Baseball future employers. 376 Players Alumni Association's Career "We all hope that we make enough Development Summit in La Jolla, "A lot of them are like a ship without a money in our career that we don't Calif. The second annual event was rudder,'' Foster said. "We're not handing have to work, or do something we don't held December 6th – 8th, on the eve of them a job. Instead we are preparing want to do, for the rest of our life,'' said 1,536 them to go get a job.'' Boxberger, who's pitched for four teams the MLB , with these 56% 26% 18% in eight years. "But the reality is that's participants looking to make deals, too. Those sharing hiring secrets made not always the case.'' More than 50 ex-big leaguers were something abundantly clear: there are getting a big-time education of making no shortcuts and no better trait than So Boxberger was listening to speakers the turn and it had nothing to do with being persistent. talking about being your own boss, getting a job in coaching, the business getting two outs up the middle. That includes networking at all times. side of baseball in the front office, SECOND ANNUAL These men were segueing from playing "Some love it and some detest it,'' said broadcasting, becoming a CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT $ to being employed and the MLBPAA was Amy Kosh of the Ayers Group, the and even how to be hired as a manager, 70 there to in that endeavor. MLBPAA's exclusive career development which featured the Dodgers' Dave 47 33 Continued on page 10

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 9 BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS

Continued from page 9 Roberts, the Rockies' and Hall of Famer Tony La Russa. That's a lot to consume, but then again, there are many years to fill after the cheering stops. "All the current players will someday be former players,'' Foster stressed. "And everyone is a former player a lot longer than they are a current player.'' There was a discussion on analytics that drew a packed room. But possibly HORNER/MLB.COM KENT CREDIT: PHOTO the most jarring figure on the two-day conference was the one that computed to a 80-20 ratio. Diamondbacks Director of Pro Scouting (left) and former MLB Executive (right) serve on the scouting panel at the second annual Career "Eighty percent of people get their next Development Summit in San Diego. job through networking,'' Kosh said. "Twenty percent of them get it through everyone from to Ichiro taking notice. "I didn't know what to what I call 'click, and pray', by applying Suzuki. As he was speaking, the ink was expect with this,'' Boxberger said of the on line.'' drying on an $18 million, one-year pact MLBPAA Career Development Summit. he had negotiated for lefty "I definitely gained some insight into Dave Stewart, the former pitcher with the Braves. how I can find a path, or an avenue, and general manager now working as after my career ends.'' a sports agent, has a distinct feeling of But it's the deals that he can't make what it means when an athletic career that stand out, signaling that a baseball meets its end. career had expired. "For me you're leaving something you "That's the part that is really very have been doing your whole life, it's all difficult because you're supposed to be you have ever done, and now you are close to your players and feel what they getting out of the dream and stepping are feeling,'' Boggs said. "So you can feel into the real world and that can be the stress of that player, and his family, scary,'' said Stewart, the owner of and it's tougher if the player hasn't had Sports Management Partners. "It can be the financial compensation of others. depressing and it's an adjustment.'' "I was the one that had to tell Ichiro,

The most challenging component of and not the club, that it was over. It HORNER/MLB.COM KENT CREDIT: PHOTO Stewart's role is telling a client the was one of the toughest things I had to truth. "The tough part isn't dealing with go through in my life, especially with general managers, owners or teams; it's someone of that stature to say, 'Hey, it's the life part of the game that becomes a over for you.''' Bud Black (left) and Tony La Russa reality for the player,'' he said. (right) speak on the managers panel It was a cautionary tale which had at the event. Agent John Boggs has represented those possibly beginning a new chapter

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE Keep in touch with WIVES CLUB THIS YEAR? Join us for the next Word to the Wives chat!

The Word to the Wives Chat Series is designed to engage members and provide an opportunity to learn more about the programs and resources available. Join us via conference call to stay up-to-date on information regarding pension, healthcare, member benefits and more.

For more information about the Wives Club and the Word to the Wives Chat Series, please reach out to Erika Boughter, Program Assistant, at [email protected] or (719) 477-1870, ext. 124.

10 WINTER 2020

HAVE YOU HEARD THE BIG NEWS?

THE NEW CLUBHOUSE APP IS HERE! AVAILABLE TO PLAYERS AND SPOUSES, THE APP MAKES IT EASIER THAN EVER TO STAY CONNECTED AND ACCESS ALL YOUR MEMBERSHIP RESOURCES.

IMPROVED EASILY ADD TO MEMBER SEARCH THE BUSINESS Grow your network! Search DIRECTORY by name, position or team Whether you own a business affiliation. or are involved with a charity, post about it in the Directory. Search by location ACCESS MEMBER to find player and spouse RESOURCES AND businesses in your area! BENEFITS STAY CONNECTED AT Leave the catalog at home! ALUMNI EVENTS Now you can access all your benefits and member Check out the Events discounts in the Clubhouse. Calendar to find an event near you. Want to attend an Alumni Day or give back at a youth clinic? This is the perfect place to start!

DOWNLOAD THE APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET BY SEARCHING “MLBPAA CLUBHOUSE” AND LOG-IN USING YOUR BASEBALLALUMNI.COM USERNAME AND PASSWORD.

HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT [email protected].

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 11 Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association 1631 Mesa Avenue, Suite D Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Phone: (719) 477-1870 Fax: (719) 477-1875 Email: [email protected] www.baseballalumni.com

MLBPAA MISSION STATEMENT To promote the game of baseball, raise money for charity, inspire and educate youth through positive sport images and protect the dignity of the game through former Major League players. @MLBPAA

Ryan Rowland-Smith (left) and Bob Scanlan (right) contribute to a broadcasting panel at the second annual Career Development Summit at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

PHOTO CREDIT: KENT HORNER/MLB.COM

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION