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Home , Desi Relaford, Dexter Fowler, Dickie Noles, Jamey Wright, Jim Hannan, John Doherty (pitcher)

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 . 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 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 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 ...... 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 , , every year? Consider an MLBPAA Lifetime membership today! Pay off your Carl Erskine, , membership dues with one easy payment of $900 and enjoy a lifetime of , 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, , Brian McRae, Ethan Orlinsky, Andy Parton, • An official MLBPAA Logoed Polo Brooks Robinson, Ed Weber (Nike Dry-Fit brand) MLAM Officers – President • MLBPAA license plate frame Fergie Jenkins – Vice President Dave Winfield – Vice President David Mindell – Secretary/Treasurer, General Counsel

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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 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 , and through baseball. What a tremendous of Fame pitcher . After . 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 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

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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. But that’s what the MLB Players Program to all current Friday, July 15. Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is all players and former about -- creating a fraternity among the players who last played in contingent of around 9,000 living former the Major Leagues in 2009 or later. The While that can be hard, especially for Major League players. costs of this program are shared by the players who live outside of the country, “The key, when we do these, is to participants and the CTP with the first events like this can help track down get the guys together. The alumni is level offered at no cost. The cost of the currently unrepresented players. the fraternity,” Geoff Hixson, Chief second level is shared evenly. “That’s another part of the benefit of Operating Officer of the MLBPAA, said. Aside from benefiting the players, doing this,” Hixson said. “Each one of the “Every time you go out, it’s bring [them] the MLBPAA also invests a lot of its guys, when they get their packet, has a together, tell old stories and see each resources in raising money and getting list of guys in there that we have lost, and other, because a lot of times the alumni youth involved in baseball. It has who knows those guys, because we need [association] is their conduit to do that.” hosted 151 free children’s clinics and to get them plugged in.” Friday’s event was the organization’s 67 fundraising events and involves the Cody Pace is a reporter for MLB.com third of its kind this season. Earlier this players heavily in these efforts. based in Cincinnati. This story was not week, it held one during the All-Star “We invite them to our fundraising subject to the approval of Major League festivities in , and there will events in the areas, and we’ve raised Baseball or its clubs. be 12 more this year. over $45 million for charities doing

4 JOSÉ GUZMÁNFALL (1985-1992) 2016

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Photos Courtesy of José Guzmán

By Lindsay Caldwell, MLBPAA Intern Contributing writer: Max Carter, MLBPAA Intern In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, broadcasting team. The new job came “If you have one goal in mind, stick José Guzmán was an important part of naturally to Guzmán, and before he with that goal. Things in life are hard the ’ pitching rotation, knew it he was calling every home game and when it gets hard, do not give up making 152 starts between 1985 and for the Rangers on ESPN Deportes. and change to another goal,” Guzmán 1992. A right-handed thrower, Guzmán “My main goal was to not let baseball go shared. “People waste time trying to find played for eight seasons in the Major after I retired” Guzmán said. “I wanted three different goals in fear of failing Leagues for the Texas Rangers and something to keep me involved and give when there is only one goal to dedicate Chicago Cubs. Guzmán compiled me the ability to still feel the passion for themselves to. Give 100% effort, work 1224.1 pitched, a record of 80- the game.” hard, and dedicate yourself towards that 74 and an ERA of 4.05 over 186 starts. main goal and you will achieve.” Throughout his career, Guzmán has His best season was in 1992, when he Now, Guzmán applies that same mindset went 16-11 with an ERA of 3.66 and never had a shortage of passion. When asked if he could give one piece of advice to his outreach in the community, 179 over 224 . visiting hospitals, doing clinics for kids Several years after Guzmán’s retirement, and making different appearances on he was approached by the Rangers to behalf of the Rangers. In addition, broadcast a few games as an emergency Guzmán has also started a fight against fill-in for their Spanish broadcast. Alzheimer’s with his “Guzmán23 Guzmán excitedly accepted the offer, as Foundation.” he can remember growing up in Puerto The foundation started six years ago in Rico and listening to the broadcasts of an effort to support Alzheimer’s patients the baseball games with his father. who are living at home. Guzmán’s “I am trying to put the game in the best mother passed away nine years ago way I can so the people can think and from this disease and after watching his imagine the game like I did as a kid by Guzmán pictured with three of his sister struggle to care for her, he began hearing what I say,” Guzmán said. foundation’s patients. raising money to help those in similar After excelling in the position, Guzmán situations. Many of the recipients of was offered a full-time job with to the young stars of baseball, Guzmán’s Guzmán’s charity have trouble paying for the Rangers as part of the Spanish answer made that very clear. their medicine, groceries and mortgages.

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

The Guzmán23 Foundation hosts a golf When comparing broadcasting to being “The Rangers have always been in my tournament every year that is always a on the field suited up, the emotions heart and I feel so happy to be with great time, and is a primary source of for Guzmán are noticeably different, them because they are the ones who funding for their efforts. though he can still feel that competitive gave me the opportunity to be the The beneficiaries of Guzmán’s drive calling him towards the diamond. player I was,” Guzmán expressed. “They organization can send in their grocery lists, According to Guzmán, when he is on had the confidence in me to give me a required medications, or bills that need to chance to play and now they still give be paid and the foundation will do what me an opportunity to be involved in the they can to take care of their requests. community and with their organization. Guzmán will also send nurses to replace That makes me feel very fortunate.” caregivers for a day so that they can treat Guzmán plans to continue his work on themselves to a well-deserved personal day. the Spanish broadcast for the Rangers “One thing that I am very proud of is in the hopes that people will experience after dedicating myself 100% to the Guzmán spends a good deal of time with the same passion for the game that he golf tournament and getting everything the patients at the Guzmán23 Foundation. feels. Guzmán hopes that his Guzmán23 together, at the end of the day I get to see Foundation will continue to make a difference in the lives of those struggling how successful everything went,” Guzmán the field, the game moves much faster. said. “Being able to see everything from with the disease and in the lives of their When he is broadcasting, he is able to family and friends as well. the beginning to the end is something I slow the game down and observe, though take very seriously and is so close to my the adrenaline still gets pumping when a heart. The feeling I have at the end of the pivotal play occurs. tournament is very rewarding.”

MLBPAA HOSTS CLINIC FOR KIDS IN BROOKLYN

By David Adler / Special to MLB.com pitcher Bob Tufts, Phillies pitcher Dickie Noles, Rockies Angel BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Six former Echevarria and Dodgers Major Leaguers took the field despite Oreste Marrero, donning their old Former Dodgers 1B Oreste Marrero teaches skills the 90-degree heat at Coney Island on jerseys to Saturday’s clinic. to the ballplayers at our Brooklyn clinic in August. Saturday, August 13 to teach young baseball players about the game. “I’m so excited about being back in fundamentals and taking questions the New York area. I’m trying to do The Major League Baseball Players from groups of clinic participants of more and more clinics like this,” said various ages and skill levels. Alumni Association hosted a Legends Figueroa, who now works as a Mets for Youth clinic on the field at MCU television studio analyst for SportsNet Echevarria, for example, showed one Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, a New York (SNY). “I couldn’t resist group how to shift weight during a affiliate of the Mets. Two of the the opportunity to give back and swing and drive straight through the instructors were native New Yorkers: show some of the kids from the baseball. Figueroa taught another former Mets pitcher Nelson Figueroa, neighborhood that dreams do come different pitch grips. born and raised in Brooklyn, and true and it takes a lot of hard work.” “You learn so much,” said Cambria, former Pirates pitcher Fred Cambria, who also works with schools on who grew up in Queens. The six players set up stations around the field -- hitting, baserunning, Long Island. “First, the opportunity They were joined by former Giants fielding, pitching -- demonstrating to meet a ballplayer, which is very

6 FALL 2016

good. Secondly, being on the field in 1980, addressed the group about baseball leagues. But those opportunities -- sometimes you never get an having fun playing the game and not were difficult to seek out. opportunity to be on the field.” giving up. “They didn’t have them to this extent,” When the on-field clinic was over, the When Figueroa was growing up in New Figueroa said. “The way this has opened MLB alumni posed for pictures and York, he said, clinics like Saturday’s were up to all different kids from all over the signed autographs. Noles, who pitched rare. Occasionally, a well-known player city, it’s a great opportunity to take part for the champion Phillies might show up to one of the city’s youth in something like this.” COMPTON UYA HOSTS LEGENDS FOR YOUTH CLINIC EIGHT FORMER BIG LEAGUERS INSTRUCT KIDS ON BASEBALL FUNDAMENTALS IN MLBPAA EVENT

By Austin Laymance / MLB.com “We just want to make a positive impact on the kids, even if it’s LOS ANGELES — For a few hours just for a few hours,” said Mike on a beautiful Friday afternoon on Groll, MLBPAA vice president of July 8, a group of 100 kids had the operations. “It’s always nice impacting opportunity to learn baseball and life kids, whatever age they are, and doing skills from eight former big leaguers something good in the community. during a Major League Baseball Players We reach a lot of kids and a lot of Alumni Association Legends for Youth people, so that’s good.” baseball clinic at MLB’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif. Odom, a pitcher who won three consecutive World Series titles with The alumni included: three-time the A’s from 1972-74, worked the Local youth are eager to work on their baseball skills with former MLB players at the Legends for Youth Clinic in Compton, CA. World Series champion Johnny “Blue pitching station in the with Moon” Odom, 20-year veteran Jay Ryerson, who tossed 125 innings countless ground balls to . Johnstone, David Frost, Lorenzo Gray, for the Brewers from ‘72-73. Frost (pitcher for the White Sox, Paul “Jake” Jaeckel, Phil Ouellette, Angels and Royals) played catch at Gary Ryerson and Reggie Walton. “I love giving back,” said Odom, decked out in his full A’s uniform. “I his station in left field. Walton, an The kids were grouped by age and didn’t have anybody to do that when I outfielder with the Mariners and rotated among seven stations focused played. Now, the kids listen to you and Pirates in the ‘80s, threw fly balls and on pitching, catching, hitting, fielding they know what it takes to move up. grounders to kids in right field. and baserunning, with alumni offering As long as they can do that, they will After the baseball portion was over, the instruction every step of the way. be prepared for the next level.” alumni spoke to the youngsters about “We’re the ones who had the most fun Not surprisingly, the majority of working hard and never giving up on today,” said Ouellette, who manned the boys and girls had the most fun their dreams. Then it was time for the catching station. “We do this taking swings with Johnstone. He gave pictures, autographs and free eye black because we love baseball and we want hitting tips and set up a soft-toss area stickers, which were a huge hit with them to have the best instruction. in center field. the kids. Maybe someone here is going to play Austin Laymance is a reporter for in the big leagues one day.” Jaeckel, who pitched for the Cubs in 1964, led the baserunning station. MLB.com based in Los Angeles. This It’s one of 150 free baseball clinics the Gray, a third baseman with the White story was not subject to the approval of MLBPAA will hold this year, both Sox from ‘82-83, provided fielding Major League Baseball or its clubs. nationally and internationally. instruction in the infield, hitting

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 7 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

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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.

Royals legend addresses some young ballplayers from the Jacksonville area at our Legends for Youth fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 23.

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION