Shane Victorino #8

Quick Facts
Born: November 30, 1980 in Wailuku, HI
Team: Philadelphia Phillies (2005-Present)
Position: Centerfield
MLB Tenure: 5 seasons
2009 Salary: $3.125 million
2009 Stats: 102 R, 13 3B, .292 BA
Other: 2009 All Star, 2008 and 2009 Gold Glove Award, 2008 World Series Champion


Shane Victorino, also known as "The Flyin' Hawaiian," has had a busy couple of months--fresh off a trip to the World Series, the Gold Glove winner headed to the altar earlier this month on Maui, and hosted his second annual celebrity golf tournament a week later. Victorino is among the most successful local boys to make it big in baseball, and has not forgotten his roots--the golf tournament, held in Maui supports the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation. 

The Second Annual Shane Victorino Celebrity Golf Classic was held at Makena Beach and Golf Resort on Maui and included a round of golf with celebrities such as golfer Tadd Fujikawa, Miss Hawaii 2009 Raeceen Woolford, ESPN's Neil Everett, Phillies teammates Ryan Howard and Joe Blanton, and ex-MLB player Lenn Sakata, followed by live and silent auctions. Some of the items up for auction were: a VIP experience with Rachael Ray, autographer memorabilia, jewelry, a trip to Las Vegas, a trip to Philadelphia for a Phillies game and a meet-and-greet with Victorino, rounds of golf, and "days/evenings/weekends out" from Hawaii restaurants, hotels, and travel companies. Last year's event raised $100,000 for Alzheimers research. This year's goal was $120,000. 

Victorino, a former Eagle Scout and winner of the 2008 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, had this to say about his charitable work during a visit to Sunrise on Hawaii News Now: "Anytime I can give back to my community, it puts a smile on my face... Anytime I have the opportunity to give back, some way I can help, whether it be financially, whether it be my time, whether it be speaking to kids... To be in the position that I am, growing up here in Hawaii, I never had the luxury to look up to somebody and say, 'Hey, I want to follow this guy.'  And I'm in a position now that I'm able to do that, and I've always said that if I had that opportunity that I'm going to do whatever I can to give back to the community, to be involved, speak to kids, to be known as a role model, to be somebody that kids idolize... When I go out there and I play the game of baseball, I don't take it for granted. I understand opportunity that I'm having, because things could change. I could drive out of here, (knock on wood) get into an accident and never play again. That's how I approach my everyday life-- that everyday may be my last. When God calls, He calls. So I go out there and I do something like this. I do it from the heart and I want to give back anyway I can. "


For more information, or to donate:
Shane Victorino's Celebrity Golf Classic

Shane Victorino - Official Website

Player Info



Pictures from:
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Albert Pujols #5

Quick Facts

Born: January 16, 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Team: St. Louis Cardinals (2001-Present)
Position: First Base
MLB Tenure: 9 seasons
2009 Salary: $14.4 million
2009 Stats: 124 R, 45 2B, 47 HR, 135 RBI, 115 RBI, .327 BA
Other: 3-time NL MVP, 8-time All-Star, 2001 Rookie of the Year, 5 Silver Slugger Awards, 1 Gold Glove, 2008 Roberto Clemente Award Winner

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is notorious for the power numbers he produces on the field (which recently earned him his third National League MVP Award), but he makes big contributions off the field as well. The 2008 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award primarily contributes through his non-profit organization, the Pujols Family Foundation. Just when you think he can't get any better, he does.

The Pujols Family Foundation, which has a focus on Faith, Family, and Others, is geared toward three main causes: promoting awareness and helping families and children who have Down Syndrome (Pujols' stepdaughter is affected by it), improving the lives of children with disabilities and/or life-threatening illnesses, and helping impoverished children in the Dominican Republic (his home country). The foundation is funded through donations, fundraising events (like the annual Christmas Celebration, Golf Classic, etc.) and sponsors, such as Ford Motor Company and American Airlines. The foundation also hosts events for the people it helps, like their annual prom for people with Down Syndrome and Mother-Daughter events. Pujols also stepped up to help establish a Down Syndrome center for adults in St. Louis and provided funding for Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Tournament (Coolbaugh was a former teammate of Pujols' who was killed by a foul ball in the minor leagues).

Though Pujols is mostly known for his big bat, it should also be known that he also has one of the biggest hearts in the league.

For more information, or to donate:
Pujols Family Foundation: Faith, Family, and Others
Player Information


Pictures from:
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Nick Swisher #33

Quick Facts
Born: November 25, 1980 in Columbus, OH
Team: New York Yankees (2009-Present), Chicago White Sox ('08), Oakland Athletics ('05-'07)
Position: Outfield, First Base
MLB Tenure: 5 seasons
2009 Salary: $5.4 million
2009 Stats: 29 HR, 82 RBI, .371 OBP, 84 R
Charitable Work: Swish's Wishes, cancer awareness, Strikeouts for Troops, Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation, Make A Wish Foundation, Special Olymipcs

Nick Swisher, of the World Series Champion Yankees, is one of the more outgoing players in baseball today. Not only does he have one of the great personalities in the game, but also has one of the strongest giving spirits. Throughout his career, he has been involved with numerous charities including Barry Zito's Strikeouts for Troops, Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation, the Make A Wish Foundation, the Special Olymipcs, and his own foundation-- Swish's Wishes.

Swish's Wishes was founded in 2007, while Nick was still with the Oakland Athletics. Since then, he spent a season in Chicago with the White Sox, and is currently a member of the New York Yankees. During his time in each city, he has worked to make a difference through his foundation and with other efforts such as frequent hospital visits. Swish's Wishes is geared toward "enriching lives and lifting the spirits of children who are facing vital health issues while providing care, comfort, and support through the most difficult of times." Swisher's foundation supports organizations such as the Lynn Sage Cancer Foundation, Janet Pomeroy Center, Tony LaRussa's Animal Foundation, UCSF Children's Hospital, and Military Families Appreciation.

Nick's grandmother, who raised him after his parents' divorce, had a strong influence on him and instilled a giving spirit in him. She battled brain cancer in 2005, and unfortunately passed away. Since then, Swisher has been very involved with cancer organizations. Also in 2007, he grew out his hair for a year to cut and donate it to make a wig for a cancer patient.

This is what Nick says:

"I love helping people, anyway I can. I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can use my position in baseball positively to make a difference in people’s lives... It doesn’t always have to be a big new story to help someone, the way I see it, it’s reading a story to a child in the hospital, visiting with our injured troops and shaking hands and talking baseball, growing out my hair so a wig can be made for a woman dealing with hair loss from chemotherapy, or simply making sure I sign as many autographs as I can. Every action I take can make a difference in someone’s life. It’s the challenge and the opportunity that we all have to give back to others. This is what drives me. This is who I am."



For more information or to donate:
NickSwisher.net
Player Info

Photos from: http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/USA+v+New+York+Yankees+NyH-dkoYQiZl.jpg
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