2009 Legends for Youth Dinner

MLBPAA Causes
Tom Seaver (holding microphone), Hall of Fame pitcher and 2008 Achievement Award recipient, participates in the Legends Roundtable portion of the Legends for Youth Dinner program along with Alumni players (I-r) Orestes Destrade, John Franco, Jim Leyritz and Al Leiter.
(David Rosenbach)

Date:Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
Venue:New York Hilton
City:New York City

2008 Legends for Youth Dinner recap »

This year's honoree is Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry.

Register here!

The MLBPAA has created three table levels: an Honoree Table, Hall of Fame Table, and a Legends Table for the Legends for Youth Dinner. This opportunity offers a significant client entertainment or internal sales incentive platform, and the ability to mingle in a first-class setting with baseball's legends. In addition, the Legends for Youth Dinner fulfills cause-related marketing/philanthropic objectives because of the youth program beneficiaries. Whatever your objectives, cause-related, client entertainment, incentive programs or business development, this opportunity meets those goals.

Schedule of Events
6 p.m.Cocktail Reception
6:45 p.m.Call to Dinner Program
7 p.m.Dinner Program
9:45 p.m.Dinner Program Ends
10 p.m.Post-dinner cocktail reception

Table pricing structure
Legends for Youth Dinner Honoree Table$25,000*
Legends for Youth Hall of Fame Table$11,000*
Legends for Youth Legends Table$6,000*
Individual Plates (per plate)$600*
* A portion of the sponsorship proceeds are tax-deductible as the MLBPAA is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization


Honoree Table Benefits
• Ten (10) invitations to Legends for Youth Dinner pre-event cocktail reception
• Ten (10) plates at the Legends for Youth Dinner, where your guests will be seated with a Legends Dinner Honoree baseball player
• Four (4) invitations to the post-event cocktail reception
• Right of first refusal for following years

Hall of Fame Table Benefits
• Ten (10) invitations to pre-event cocktail reception
• Ten (10) plates where your guests will be seated with a Hall of Fame baseball player
• Four (4) invitations to the post-event cocktail reception

Legends Table Benefits
• Ten (10) invitations to pre-event cocktail reception
• Ten (10) plates where your guests will be seated with a former Major League Baseball player

MLBPAA Causes
Gaylord Perry participated in a Legends for Youth Clinic this summer. (MLBPAA)
2009 Honoree Gaylord Perry

Gaylord Perry's career spanned 22 seasons and finished with a plaque in the gallery in Cooperstown. During his career, he played for the Giants, Indians, Rangers, Yankees, Braves, Mariners and Royals. The right-handed pitcher was a five time All-Star and won the Cy Young award twice (1972 and 1978). He led the league in wins three times and was the first pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young in both leagues.

In 1968, he threw a no-hitter against Bob Gibson and led the league twice in complete games with 29 in 1972 and 1973. His best season came in 1978 when he went 21-6 with a 2.73 ERA. He finished his career with 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts and a 3.11 ERA. His older brother Jim also pitched in the Majors, and together they hold the Major League record for most career wins by brothers (529).

2009 Celebrity guests Gaylord Perry - Honoree
Bob Feller
Tony Perez
Brooks Robinson
Rick Cerone
Jeff Cirillo
John Franco
Stave Garvey
Al Leiter

Note: Hall of Famers in italics


For more information or for questions regarding the Legends for Youth Dinner and how you or your corporation can attend, please email Lance James at lmj@mlbpaa.com.


Background of the Legends for Youth Dinner

Established in 1999, the MLBPAA created the Legends for Youth Dinner to recognize former Major League players for their on-field accomplishments coupled with their off-field contributions to communities across the nation. In addition, the MLBPAA recognizes current players by presenting the National and American League Pitcher and Player of the Year Awards, which is voted on by the former Major League players, and the Dick Schaap Memorial Player of the Year Award, voted on by baseball's television and radio broadcasters and presented to Major League Baseball's most valuable player irrespective of position or league. Finally, the Alumni Association created the Heart & Hustle Award, presented annually to a current player and voted on by former players. The winner is the player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game of baseball. Whether or not these players are named a Most Valuable Player, are a World Series Champion or simply play the game hard each time they take the field, these players win our admiration and respect.

MLBPAA Causes
Gary Thorne introduced MLBPAA Legends Roundtable players (l-r) Orestes Destrade, John Franco, Jim Leyritz, Al Leiter, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Orlando Cepeda, Mike Torrez and Brooks Robinson to the audience at the 2008 Legends for Youth Dinner.
(David Rosenbach)
The Legends for Youth Dinner held annually in New York City and broadcast nationally on FOX Sports Net, honors baseball's legends with MLBPAA Lifetime Achievement Awards. Past award recipients include Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, George Brett, Jim Bunning, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente, Dom DiMaggio, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Whitey Ford, Jim "Catfish" Hunter, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, Juan Marichal, Tony Oliva, Tony Perez, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson and Bill White. In addition to the honorees, many of baseball's greats attend the awards show to support their peers. "The MLBPAA is proud to recognize current and former Major League Players for their accomplishments on this national stage," said Brooks Robinson, Hall of Fame third baseman and MLBPAA President.

In addition, the event serves as the primary fund-raiser for the Alumni Association's youth programs. The MLBPAA allocates Legends for Youth Dinner proceeds to Alumni youth programming, which includes Legends for Youth baseball clinic series. The Legends for Youth program is a series of free baseball clinics designed to talk to youth about life skills, promote baseball and teach young players baseball fundamentals. "The life skills station carries the most weight for the long-term," said Denny Doyle, chairman of the youth clinic series. "It carries a little more strength and power coming from a Hall of Famer. We realize that puts a great deal of responsibility on our shoulders." Former players such as Steve Carlton, George Foster, Ferguson Jenkins, Harmon Killebrew, Phil Niekro, Bobby Richardson, Brooks Robinson and Tom Seaver have participated in the clinics.

MLBPAA Events
Dec. 12, 2009: Dominican Clinic
Legends for Youth Clinics allow the nation's youth to learn from baseball's all-time greats.
TBD: Brooksville Golf Fundraiser
This Swing with the Legends golf event will benefit First Tee of Brooksville.
TBD: Oklahoma City Golf Fundraiser
This Swing with the Legends golf event will benefit the MLBPAA.
TBD: Davenport HR Derby and Game Fundraiser
Kevin Bass, Jack Clark, Mike Devereaux, Darrell Evans have participated in past events.
Complete Event Schedule