FALL 2016 MLBPAA WORKS TO FULFILL MISSION THROUGH INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH By Max Carter / MLB.com expanded to Germany and Italy with “It’s not just a game that we play in former MLB stars Jamey Wright, Desi the states anymore,” said Relaford. This year, the MLBPAA will reach Relaford and Todd Haney making “It’s a worldwide game and it can more than 15,000 children in cities trips out to Europe to promote the afford people a lot of opportunities, across the United States, Puerto Rico, game of baseball. whether it be in the form of jobs on or the Dominican Republic, Germany Desi Relaford, an infielder who spent off the field. Also, with baseball being and Italy through our free Legends for reintroduced to the Olympics in 2020, Youth Baseball Clinics. These clinics 11 seasons in the big leagues, is highly active in his community and has been these clinics have become even more are the most tangible way in which we necessary so that we can continue to actively work towards our mission to very active with the MLBPAA. Since he retired in 2007, Relaford has taken it improve the level of competition in promote the game of baseball, raise baseball around the world.” money for charity, inspire and educate upon himself to share the importance youth through positive sports images of baseball with youth all around the For 19-year Major League pitcher and protect the dignity of the game world. While at our clinics in Germany Jamey Wright, it is clear that the youth through former players. and Italy this summer, the speedy in Milan, Italy have a desire to play and utility man saw firsthand why our learn the game of baseball. However, As part of this effort, we are constantly international outreach is so important – he has observed the lack of resources looking to expand the reach of our especially right now. available to kids interested... international clinics. This year, we Story Continues on Page 3... Photo Caption: 11-year MLB utility man Desi Relaford shares some smiles and fist bumps with the youth in Rome, Italy. A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS www.baseballalumni.com E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 1-800-336-5272 TABLE OF CONTENTS Looking for a tax free deduction? The MLBPAA is designated as a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization. Under the IRS code, your INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH ...................................................1-3 contributions, other than dues, are fully tax deductible. Contributions can be made in the REDS HALL OF FAME HOSTS MLBPAA EVENT ............................. 4 form of cash, securities, or real estate. WHERE ARE THEY NOW, JOSÉ GUZMÁN ..................................5-6 Check with your accountant or tax advisor regarding which is best for you. MLBPAA HOSTS CLINIC FOR KIDS IN BROOKLYN ...................6-7 All checks should be made payable COMPTON UYA HOSTS LEGENDS FOR YOUTH CLINIC .............. 7 to the MLBPAA and sent to: 1631 Mesa Avenue, Suite D Colorado Springs, CO 80906. MLBPAA Board of Directors Jim Hannan – Chairman Fred Valentine – Vice Chairman Sandy Alderson, John Doherty, Denny Doyle, Brian Fisher, Joseph Garagiola, UPGRADE TO A MLBPAA Jr., Doug Glanville, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Rich Hand, Mike Myers, Steve Rogers, Jim Sadowski, Jose Valdivielso LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP! MLBPAA Officers President Brooks Robinson Are you interested in upgrading your Major League Baseball Players Alumni Vice Presidents Association membership? Tired of receiving membership renewal letters Bob Boone, George Brett, every year? Consider an MLBPAA Lifetime membership today! Pay off your Carl Erskine, Al Kaline, membership dues with one easy payment of $900 and enjoy a lifetime of Rusty Staub, Robin Yount, Fred Valentine – Secretary/Treasurer membership benefits from your Alumni Association. Brian Fisher – Assistant Secretary David Mindell – General Counsel Sam Moore – Legal Counsel Emeritus Receive a limited time offer Lifetime Membership Upgrade Bundle if MLAM Board of Directors you sign up before October 31st (A total gift value of $100!): Jim Poole - Chairman Jerry Moses - Chairman Emeritus Bill Bray, Orestes Destrade, John Doherty, • A leather embossed MLBPAA Padfolio Evan Kaplan, Al Leiter, Brian McRae, Ethan Orlinsky, Andy Parton, • An official MLBPAA Logoed Polo Brooks Robinson, Ed Weber (Nike Dry-Fit brand) MLAM Officers Tom Seaver – President • MLBPAA license plate frame Fergie Jenkins – Vice President Dave Winfield – Vice President David Mindell – Secretary/Treasurer, General Counsel MLAS Board of Directors UPGRADE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY BY VISITING Craig Skok – Chairman Steve Rogers – Secretary/Treasurer WWW.BASEBALLALUMNI.COM/PLAYERMEMBER Chris Archer, Nelson Cruz, Dexter Fowler, LaTroy Hawkins, Jerry Kindall, Jason Phillips, OR CONTACT YOUR MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT AT (800) 336-5272, EXT. 113, Mike Sweeney OR BY E-MAIL AT [email protected]. 2 FALL 2016 to receive instruction from MLB alumni,” said Haney. “The kids are extremely receptive and focused to learn as much as possible during our clinics, understanding and appreciating that we have Former MLB infielder Todd Haney addresses the kids in Berlin, Germany in June. traveled a long way to work with them.” A reliever in the bigs for 19 seasons, Jamey Wright in picking up the game. According to For most, it is clear how the provides pitching instruction for the youth in Milan, Italy. Wright, this will only improve as baseball youth benefit from these free becomes a bigger part of their culture. clinics, but we sometimes world, people have never been exposed “In the states and the Latin countries, forget that these clinics provide to the game of baseball or the joy that it’s all about upping the ante – who can a wonderful experience for the it can bring. When former big leaguers throw it faster, who can hit it further, instructors as well. The youth aren’t the travel around the world and share who is stronger,” said Wright. “You’ve only ones taking home valuable lessons their passions with those who may got all of these clinics and young kids and memories from our Legends for have never experienced baseball, that going to private coaches and what not, Youth Clinics. provides a powerful moment for both and they just don’t have that in some “This international experience provides teacher and student. of these places. So to have former big us the opportunity to promote the With our Legends for Youth Clinic leaguers go over there, teach them the great game of baseball,” said Haney. Series growing every year, we have plans game and talk about fundamentals – it “We have the chance to not only to extend our reach to more countries was just awesome.” teach baseball fundamentals to eager in 2017. A few of the places on our list That statement was echoed by Todd young players around the globe, but are New Zealand, countries in Africa Haney, a former infielder for the to teach foundational life skills learned and the Netherlands, birthplace of Hall Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos and through baseball. What a tremendous of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven. After New York Mets. Haney participated in opportunity and honor for us.” a successful 2016 campaign, we are our clinics in both Italy and Germany, And that is really what it is all about. looking forward to continuing to better and spends much of his personal time That is why we are here – to share with our Legends for Youth Clinic Series, teaching the game of baseball. the world the sport that we all hold in turn growing the game of baseball “Around the world, players are excited so dear. In many cultures around the around the world. IN REMEMBRANCE O F BASEBALL LEGENDS UPGRADE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY BY VISITING WWW.BASEBALLALUMNI.COM/PLAYERMEMBER Visit baseballalumni.com/necrology for our updated obituaries and archive. May they rest in peace. A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 3 BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS REDS HALL OF FAME HOSTS MLBPAA EVENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BRINGS TOGETHER FORMER BIG LEAGUERS By Cody Pace / MLB.com The events are also designed to inform golf tournaments, poker tournaments, the players about the benefits they can dinners,” Hixson said. “Any time we come CINCINNATI — Sitting around the receive as former Major Leaguers and out to their area, we invite them to come theater in the Reds Hall of Fame on give them a chance to get out to the out and help us do what we do.” Friday, July 15 was a group of more ballpark, one of the most frequently than 20 former Major League players. None of this is possible without the made requests among the organization’s large body of players, which also There were former Reds -- Brian nearly 8,000 members. includes “about 99 percent” of active Dorsett, Tom Kramer, Jeff Schultz and “They’re alumni, so today we’ll talk players. While the MLBPAA is happy Larry Luebbers, to name a few. Former about all the good things going on with having around 8,000 of 9,000 Royals were well represented, too, with in our office that relate to them,” eligible members, they still actively seek Steve Jones, Josh Newman and Steve Hixson said. “The Alumni Association out those last 1,000 people. Sisco all in attendance. There was even provides a huge list of Pat Underwood, the Tigers’ winning benefits as being part pitcher the night of the infamous Disco of the organization. Demolition game. Discounts here and there, While the room had a combined opportunities to come 286 wins and 85 saves, most of the together as such, like players in attendance weren’t names we’re doing tonight.” that immediately come to mind when The Alumni Association thinking of their respective franchises in conjunction with or eras. Many of them had never met, the Players Association nor had they played against each other offers a Career Transition MLB alumni of all ages gathered at the Reds Hall of Fame on before.