April 3, 2006

Five Opening Day Starting Pitchers To Participate In Strikeouts For Troops To Benefit Wounded U.S. Soldiers

Program Founder Barry Zito Announces $137,775 in Year One Contributions;Addition of Jermaine Dye, Manny Ramirez, Chipper Jones, Jake Peavy and Shawn Estes

OAKLAND, CA (April 3, 2006) – Five opening day starting pitchers – A’s Barry Zito, Red Sox’s Curt Schilling, Indians’ C.C. Sabathia, Braves’ Tim Hudson, and Padres’ Jake Peavy - will be helping the wounded men and women of the U.S. military by throwing strikeouts this season as participants in the second year of Strikeouts For Troops™.

This unique program, founded by Barry Zito prior to the 2005 Major League Baseball season, involves Major League Baseball pitchers and position players who pledge money for their on-field performance. The funds are directed to individual troops to assist with some ‘comforts of home’ -- daily necessities and travel and housing expenses for family members to visit the soldier during the rehabilitation process at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Hospital and other military hospitals.

“We had a fantastic start to the program last year, raising $137,775 in contributions from 21 pitchers and position players and fans,” commented Zito. “It especially pleases me to see these guys on the field and most importantly, the fans who watch us, do something extraordinary for the real heroes while they are on the mend. As I saw personally last season, it is really critical we make the recovery time a little easier because many of these great Americans arrive with only the clothes on their back.” Zito explained that the players involved pledged money for 1,438 strikeouts, 740 hits (including 86 home runs) and 362 runs batted in.

For the 2006 program, Zito has announced that several new players will be joining the effort, including World Series MVP Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves and Shawn Estes of the San Diego Padres. Zito has also pledged to increase his personal contribution by $100 to $200 per strikeout.

Strikeouts For Troops is a national project funded by contributions to the "Strikeouts For Troops Fund" at The Community Foundation For the National Capital Region.
For more information on Strikeouts For Troops, please visit www.strikeoutsfortroops.org