September 6, 2006

Barry Zito Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award

“Strikeouts for Troops” Assists Soldiers With ‘Comforts of Home’ During Rehab

OAKLAND, CA– A's pitcher Barry Zito has been named as one of 30 nominees for the national 2006 Roberto Clemente Award, which will be announced during the 2006 World Series.

Zito will be recognized as the A's nominee for this prestigious award during an on-field ceremony prior to the A's 12:35 pm game against Texas on Wednesday, September 6.

The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contribution to their team. Named for the 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, Roberto Clemente, who was killed on New Year’s Eve 1972 while delivering supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award helps perpetuate Clemente’s memory and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Zito founded Strikeouts for Troops in April of 2005 in the hopes of assisting America’s war-wounded and their families during the soldier’s rehabilitation process. Since the program’s inception in April of 2005, more than $250,000 has been raised through Zito’s own contributions and those from over 35 players from the A's and other Major League Baseball clubs, fundraising events and fan donations through strikeoutsfortroops.org. In addition, contributions fund holiday dinners at military hospitals, bought Christmas gifts for families of patients unable to afford them and helped build a hospital children’s center where kids can stay while their parents tended to their medical needs.

One Roberto Clemente Award recipient was selected from each Major League club and John Hancock Financial Services will donate $2,500 in the name of each local recipient to the charity of the player’s choice. Zito chose his Strikeouts For Troops program to receive the donation.

A panel of dignitaries including Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig will select the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award from the 30 local award recipients. The national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award will receive a $25,000 to the charity of his choice at an on-field ceremony during the World Series. A $30,000 contribution will also be made to Roberto Clemente Sports City in Puerto Rico in the name of the national winner.

Strikeouts for Troops is a national program 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