August 4, 2007

MLB PITCHERS BARRY ZITO AND JAKE PEAVY TEAM TOGETHER TO HELP INJURED SOLDIERS THROUGH "Strikeouts For Troops"

PLAYERS TO PRESENT DONATION TO INJURED MARINES TONIGHT IN SAN DIEGO

SAN DIEGO, CA (August 4, 2007) – Pitchers Barry Zito and Jake Peavy, competitors on the field tonight when the San Francisco Giants play the San Diego Padres, will come together before the game to present a $10,000 donation from Strikeouts For Troopsä to the Marine Corp League’s Injured Marine Fund.  The program assists Marines who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan and are recuperating at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego. 

The two pitchers are part of Strikeouts For Troops, which was founded in 2005 by Zito, a San Diego native, to provide "comforts of home" to our wounded soldiers being treated at military hospitals including Walter Reed, Bethesda Naval, Brooke Army and more. 

Since the program’s inception, Strikeouts For Troops has raised over $500,000 from Zito’s and Peavy’s own contributions and those of nearly three-dozen players throughout the Major Leagues, as well as from fundraising events, and fan donations. One hundred percent of the money raised is distributed to wounded soldiers and their families, and Zito personally pays all fund administrative costs.

"In a world where professional athletes and celebrities are often portrayed as heroes, it's easy to lose sight of who the real heroes are,” said Barry Zito. “They are the men and women in uniform stationed here at home and around the world who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on a daily basis for us. They are brave and selfless.”

Zito and Peavy will present the check to General Angie Salinas, Lance Corporal John Doody and Richard Williams of the Marine Corps League.  The players will also visit on the field with a group of recovering marines who have been invited as personal guests of the two pitchers.

In addition to the assistance provided to hundreds of military families in need of daily necessities, travel, housing or even paying a bill -- contributions also have funded holiday dinners for soldiers in the various hospitals, bought Christmas gifts for military children, and have provided support to the Fisher House, The Gold Star Family Support Center at Fort Hood, Injured Marines in San Diego, among others.

Other MLB players participating in Strikeouts For Troops are Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, Manny Ramirez and Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox, Tim Hudson and Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves, Dan Haren, Eric Chavez, and Nick Swisher of the Oakland Athletics, CC Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians, Chad Cordero of the Washington Nationals, Dontrelle Willis of the Florida Marlins, Russ Springer of the St. Louis Cardinals, Orlando Hudson and Eric Byrnes of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and more.