AHRC NYC Foundation Benefit Pays Homage to Late Yankees Captain
ANDREW MILLER, JEURYS FAMILIA, JIM ABBOTT, BRIAN McCANN, JESSE OROSCO TO RECEIVE 36th ANNUAL THURMAN MUNSON AWARDS ON FEBRUARY 9, 2016
New York, December 14 — The 36th Annual Thurman Munson Awards, which remember the late, great Yankees captain and catcher, will be presented at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on Tuesday night, February 9, 2016, and the honorees announced today are: New York baseball’s two premier closers – the Yankees Andrew Miller (36 saves) and the Mets Jeurys Familia (team record-tying 43 saves) – will be joined by former Yankees “No-Hit” pitcher Jim Abbott, who has been an inspiration to people with disabilities, current Yankees catcher Brian McCann, and 1986 Mets World Series champion reliever Jesse Orosco. The AHRC New York City Foundation, which assists children and adults with disabilities, benefits from the gala.
Diana Munson, Thurman’s widow, will attend her 36th consecutive benefit, having been involved since its inception. The Thurman Munson Awards Dinner has raised more than $14 million for programs that serve New York City children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Michael Kay, the “Voice of the Yankees” on YES Network and ESPN Radio 98.7 FM host, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
For tickets and information on the Munson Awards Dinner call 212-249-6188 or email [email protected]. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.ahrcNYCfoundation.org/events.
The Thurman Munson Awards are presented for success and inspiration on the fields of play, and community outreach off the field.
The AHRC New York City Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports programs enabling children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead richer, more productive lives, including programs of AHRC New York City. AHRC New York City is one of the largest organizations of its kind, serving 15,000 children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and other disabilities.
Abbott was born September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan without a right hand. Overcoming all odds, his inspirational career included: All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988; and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees versus Cleveland (September 4, 1993). Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1999. Abbott has worked with The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities.
A native of Gainesville, Florida, and a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Andrew Miller succeeded the legendary Mariano Rivera as the Yankees closer in 2015, and recorded 36 saves to help vault the Bombers to a post-season berth.
A veteran of 10 major league seasons, the left-handed reliever signed a four-year contract with the Yankees during the last off-season after enjoying successful stints with both the Orioles and Red Sox. Equally effective against both lefties and righties, Miller emerged as one of the best relievers in baseball after Boston moved him to the bullpen in 2012. The imposing strikeout artist first signed with the Detroit Tigers.
Active with the Yankees “Hope Week” community outreach during his first season in New York, Miller has also supported the “Strike 3 Foundation” in its research for children with cancer, and Charity Day for the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, a foundation that supports victims of terrorism.
A native of Athens, Georgia who played nine seasons for the hometown Braves, McCann enjoyed a significant bounceback campaign in his second year with the Yankees, socking 26 home runs and knocking in 94 RBI in 135 games as one of the key players in the Bombers lineup. A veteran of 11 major league seasons, McCann has amassed 1,293 hits, 225 home runs and 830 RBI as one of the top backstops in the game.
For two seasons, McCann has actively participated in the Yankees “Hope Week” community outreach program. He created the Brian McCann Home Run Challenge to impact the lives of children battling cancer and has been involved in the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research as well.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Familia emerged as one of baseball’s ace relievers last season in helping lead the Mets to their first National League Championship in 15 years. Assuming the closer’s role with gusto, the right-handed hurler saved 43 games, tying a team record. He had a tidy 1.43 ERA in his fourth season in New York. In the postseason, Familia notched two more saves in the NLDS against the Dodgers, retiring all 16 batters that he faced. He continued that excellence in the NLCS against the Cubs, recording three more saves to vault the Mets into the Fall Classic.
Familia’s son, Jeurys, Jr., was born to fiancée Bianca Rivas on June 12, while he saved a win against the Atlanta Braves. The youngest son of a gas station attendant, Familia is greatly devoted to his family and built a house in his native Dominican Republic that he has been saving for since he signed with the Mets.
Familia has participated in many of the Mets community outreach programs, including “Amazin’ City,” when he visited the Museum of Natural History with students from the Leonardo da Vinci School (Corona); and the Military Softball Classic with members of the Armed Forces at Citi Field, just to name two.
Jesse Orosco ranks first on MLB’s all-time leader board in most games pitched during a career which spanned 20 years. He saved both the final game of the NLCS against Houston, and the World Series against Boston, ending both games with a strikeout, to vault the Mets to their second world championship. He also was a World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Orosco was the first and only relief pitcher to get three wins in one playoff series against the Astros.
Earlier this year, The Mets, Major League Baseball and Stand Up to Cancer visited Mt. Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in Manhattan to spend time with pediatric cancer patients. MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred was joined by Mets legend Jesse Orosco, Hall of Famer and former Mets pitcher Tom Glavine and everyone’s favorite mascots Mr. and Mrs. Met.
