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:
http://blog.pennlive.com/lehighvalley/2007/07/victorino.jpg
http://zozone.mlblogs.com/victorino%20trophy.jpg
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