B.A.T. Establishes The Bobby Murcer Award

I found this press release from MLB in my inbox this morning.

Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) announced today the creation of The Bobby Murcer Award, which will be presented to the team in both the American League and National League whose players contribute the most amount of money to B.A.T. through the Major League Baseball (MLB) Payroll Deduction Program. The award will be presented during the 2010 Annual B.A.T. Dinner.

“Bobby was very proud of the work he accomplished for B.A.T.,” said Kay Murcer, widow of Bobby Murcer. “Our family is deeply grateful that his legacy will continue in such a tremendous way through the B.A.T. organization.”

“We are honored to establish this award in memory of Bobby Murcer’s giving and inspirational spirit,” said B.A.T. Executive Director and COO Jim Martin. “Although Bobby passed on at the young age of 62, his efforts and commitment to the B.A.T. organization will live on through those he left behind and serve as a perfect example of how things should be done. He is greatly missed, but never forgotten.”

Through the Payroll Deduction Program, Major League and Minor League players and coaches can donate a portion of their salary to the B.A.T. organization. In 2001, as a member of the B.A.T. Board,Murcer led the charge and began the yearly practice of visiting MLB clubs during Spring Training to update the current-day players regarding the goals and objectives of B.A.T. These meetings laid the groundwork for annual Spring Training visits to ask for financial support from the players, and have generated $5.5 million in revenue for B.A.T since 2003.

The 2009 tour will begin in Arizona on February 18th and conclude in Florida in late March with B.A.T. representatives visiting the 30 clubhouses asking players and coaches for their financial support and help in identifying members of the baseball family in need.

B.A.T. was founded in 1986 to assist former major league players but has expanded its assistance over the years. In addition to assisting ex-Major League players, B.A.T. also offers support to former Major League managers, coaches, scouts, umpires, front office personnel, Minor League players, Negro League players, their widows and children and players from the Women’s Professional Baseball League.

All aid provided by B.A.T. is strictly confidential, allowing those in the need to receive help discreetly.