May 4, 2005

Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and Cleveland Indians pitcher CC Sabathia Team with Barry Zito in Strikeouts For Troops To Help Wounded U.S. Military

All Star Pitchers Pledge Funds Through 2005 Season; Encourage Other Major League Baseball Players to Help Provide "Comforts of Home"

Oakland, CA May 4, 2005 -- Oakland Athletics pitcher Barry Zito, founder of "StrikeoutsForTroops," a national program which provides some "comforts of home" and also assists with family travel and housing expenses for service members who are being treated at military hospitals, has been joined by six-time All Star pitcher Curt Schilling of the World Champion Boston Red Sox and two-time All Star pitcher CC Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians on the Strikeouts For Troops roster. Schilling and Sabathia are the first two Major League Baseball players to officially join in the effort.

"Many of our war-wounded are recovering in hospitals far from home and family - I saw this first hand when I recently had the honor of visiting Walter Reed Army Medical Center and spent time with the injured service members," said Barry Zito. "These are the true heroes in uniform."

"I'm grateful to both Curt and CC for joining me in 'Strikeouts For Troops' and matching my pledge to contribute $100.00 for every batter that we strike out this season, said Zito, the 2002 Cy Young Award Winner. "They are amazing strikeout pitchers and tough competitors. I respect and admire them tremendously for their good works both on and off the playing field."

Schilling came into 2005 with 2,765 career strikeouts and ranks among the top pitchers in baseball. He was named the 2004 Red Sox pitcher of the Year by the Boston Baseball Writers after turning in a heroic post-season performance while pitching with a detached tendon in his right ankle, helping the Red Sox to their first World Championship since 1918. This season he has posted 20 strikeouts in 17.2 innings pitched in three games. He is on the disabled list and set to return in mid-May.

"It's a privilege to team with Barry in 'Strikeouts For Troops' and I hope others will join us. My father served 20 years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division ("Screaming Eagles") prior to his passing in 1988, so our men and women in the military have a special meaning to me," said Schilling.

CC Sabathia is in his fifth season with the Cleveland Indians and touts 616 career strikeouts. At 24-years of age, the lefthander has gotten off to an impressive start posting a mark of 2-0 with a 0.92 ERA in 3 starts after beginning the season on the disabled list. CC's 55 career wins are the most of any Major League pitcher under the age of 25.

"I'm happy to help Barry with 'Strikeouts For Troops.' I have the utmost respect for the men and women serving our country, around the world and here at home; most are my age or younger," said Sabathia. "If I can help out even in a small way, it's truly an honor."

This effort is funded by contributions to the "Strikeouts For Troops Fund" at The Community Foundation For the National Capital Region. (www.cfncr.org). Freedom Alliance, a national non-profit organization, tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code, will help to distribute the funds to the troops.

The "Strikeouts For Troops" program has also been expanded to offer a way for position players to contribute. "Many of my friends in the league who are position players have asked how they can participate too, so we've established a way for everyone to take part by creating a category for hits, RBI's and home runs," said Zito.