Yogi Berra, Mark Teixeira, R.A. Dickey, Chris Mullin To Receive Awards At Thurman Munson Dinner

Dec. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- New York Yankees beloved Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra will be joined by Yankees star first baseman Mark Teixeira, Mets standout pitcher R.A. Dickey, and newly-inducted Basketball Hall of Famer and former St. John’s and N.B.A. star guard Chris Mullin as the honorees at the 32nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner on Tuesday night, January 31, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, it was announced today.  The gala, which remembers the late, great Yankees catcher and captain, benefits AHRC-New York City Foundation. Berra will receive the Munson Legend Award in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1962 World Champion Yankees, and Teixeira, Dickey and Mullin will each receive “Thurmans.” For tickets and information on the Munson Awards Dinner call 212-249-6188.

Diana Munson, Thurman’s widow, will attend her 32nd straight benefit, having been involved since its inception, raising nearly $10 million to assist children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Thurman Munson Awards are presented for success on the fields of play and philanthropic works off the field

The AHRC New York City Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports programs enabling children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead richer, more productive lives, including programs of AHRC New York City.  AHRC New York City is one of the largest organizations of its kind, serving 11,000 children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and other disabilities.

The  list of notable athletes to previously receive the Munson Award reads like a sports “Who’s Who,” and includes: Yankees – Yogi Berra, Don Mattingly, Mariano Rivera, Willie Randolph, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Robbie Cano, Bernie Williams, Bobby Murcer, Joe Torre, Joe Girardi and Nick Swisher; Mets – Tom Seaver, John Franco, Darryl Strawberry, Mike Piazza, Ron Darling, David Wright, Carlos Beltran,  Keith Hernandez, Rusty Staub and Gary Carter;  Basketball – Willis Reed, Oscar Robertson, Dave DeBusschere,  Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, “Dr. J”  Julius Erving, Sen. Bill Bradley, Mark Jackson, Charles Oakley, Allan Houston and John Starks.

The Legend Award has been presented periodically and its previous recipients have included: Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson (2001) in celebration of the 50th anniversary of “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”; former Mets ace relief pitcher and native New Yorker John Franco (2004) in recognition of his community service in his hometown; and former Yankee and Thurman teammate Lou Piniella (2010) upon the 30th Anniversary of the Munson Dinner.

About Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra has won the affection and admiration from peer and public to a degree uncommon in American life. His kindness, humility and good humor remain the stuff of legend.
Yogi transformed himself from barefoot sandlotter into one of the greatest catchers and clutch hitters in the history of the game. He anchored the New York Yankees' dynasty from the late 1940s to early '60s, becoming a 15-time All-Star, winner of 10 world championships (most in baseball history) and three-time Most Valuable Player along the way. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 and is a member of Major League Baseball's All-Century Team. As a manager with both New York teams, he became the first man in over 40 years to win pennants in different leagues (Yankees in 1964, Mets in 1973).

Yogi Berra is also renowned for his selflessness, giving generously of his time for countless youth organizations and charitable causes.

A  World War II Navy veteran who fought in the invasion of Normandy, Yogi returned to baseball in 1946, and along with his prowess as a hitter was renowned as a master handler of pitchers.  He caught two no-hitters by Allie Reynolds in 1951 and Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. The photo of Yogi leaping into Larsen's arms is one of baseball's endearing images. His prowess at the plate was also legendary as the most feared hitter on a host of Yankee pennant winners - including an unprecedented five straight world championships - as he led the team in RBI's for seven straight seasons (1949-55).

He remains baseball's unofficial ambassador and one of the game's most respected statesmen. He serves on the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee and is a revered presence in the Yankees' clubhouse.
Family is paramount to Berra, who has been married over 50 years to Carmen, proud parents of three sons - Larry, a former minor-league catcher, Tim, a former NFL receiver, and Dale, a former major-league infielder - and grandparents of 11.

About Mark Teixeira
Yankees world champion (2009) first baseman Mark Teixeira is a two-time All Star, four-time Gold Glove Award recipient and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

During nine career major league campaigns, including the last three with the Yankees, Teixeira has recorded 100 or more RBI and 30 or more home runs in eight of them.  Teixeira is holder of the MLB record for most games with a home run from both sides of the plate, accomplishing that feat 12 times.

Teixeira and his work for the Harlem RBI program is been outstanding.  He made a $1 million donation to the East Harlem organization, hoping to build a state-of-the-art facility for its children. Teixeira is a member of its board of directors, attends meetings, and sits on committees. Teixeira‘s focus at Harlem RBI is helping to raise $20 million for a new facility for children in the Harlem section of New York City. The $85 million center includes a charter school, low-income housing and the charity’s new headquarters. Harlem RBI's mission is to provide inner-city youth with opportunities to Play, Learn and Grow. Harlem RBI's vision is to be a model learning community where youth become healthy, educated and active global citizens who achieve excellence and change the world.

Teixeira and his wife Leigh Williams have three children, sons Jack Gordan and William Charles, and daughter Addison Leigh. The couple established the Mark Teixeira Charitable Fund that supported six $5,000 scholarships at three high schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

About Chris Mullin
Native New Yorker and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin starred at shooting guard for his home town St. John’s University where he was three-time Big East Player of the Year, and in the NBA as a five time All-Star with the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers (1985 through 2001).

The Brooklyn native idolized the likes of Knicks stars Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe, and the Celtics greats Larry Bird and John Havlicek, wearing his number 17. Mullin played for two gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic squads, the 1984 amateur team, and for the 1992 Dream Team.

About R.A.Dickey
R. A. Dickey, the right-handed knuckleballer for the New York Mets, has become a mainstay in the starting rotation with his cagey performances in the past two seasons. The veteran hurler is a leader and refreshing presence in the locker room. He has also pitched for the Rangers, Mariners, Twins and Brewers., Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers organizations. In recent years, Dickey has since made the transition to becoming a knuckleball pitcher, and is one of just two knuckleballers on active rosters, the other being Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox.

Dickey was an English Literature major at the University of Tennessee, where he earned a 3.35 GPA and was named Academic All-American.

# # #

AHRC currently serves over 15,000 individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities throughout the five boroughs. The array services offered by the organization is unsurpassed.