Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig Receives B'nai B'rith International Distinguished Humanitarian Award

Joe Torre and Author/Educator Sharon Robinson (Daughter of Jackie Robinson) Also in Attendance

Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan H. “Bud” Selig received the B’nai B’rith International Distinguished Humanitarian Award, which was presented June 27 at the St. Regis New York.

“In baseball and out, Bud Selig and his wife, Sue, have a long-standing dedication to diversity and tolerance,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. “Bud’s philanthropic leadership, his commitment to community improvement and his tireless support for a broad range of causes that make a profound difference at the individual and community levels make him the very epitome of a distinguished humanitarian.”

At the award dinner, special presenters Sharon Robinson and Joe Torre addressed Major League Baseball’s commitment to diversity.

As the leader of Major League Baseball (MLB) for nearly 21 years, and prior to that as a team owner and lifelong fan of the game, Selig has earned accolades and awards for an incredibly diverse list of actions, activities and contributions. He’s been recognized as a supporter of cancer research and an environmental advocate, as well as for his commitment to youth education and training. Diversity, tolerance and fairness are hallmarks of his career.

MLB’s humanitarian efforts under Selig include valuable contributions to such programs as Stand Up To Cancer and Welcome Back Veterans, and the national pastime has recently supported Hurricane Sandy relief efforts and participated in the National Day of Remembrance, which was launched after the Sept. 11 attacks.  MLB also supports the Baseball Assistance Team, which helps those in the “baseball family.” MLB’s Civil Rights Game and the Diversity Business Summit also serve to highlight baseball’s commitment to some of the very core values that define B’nai B’rith International as a humanitarian organization.

Sharon Robinson, an author and educator, is the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson and is vice chairperson of The Jackie Robinson Foundation. Robinson also serves on the boards of the Roberto Clemente Sports City Complex in Carolina, Puerto Rico; Metropolitan Opera; Urban America; and Omnicom Diversity Committee. As an educational consultant for Major League Baseball, Robinson oversees community-based programs aimed at providing students with the tools to help them face obstacles. She is the author of “Jackie’s Nine: Jackie Robinson’s Values to Live By,” “Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America,” and “Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson,” among other books.

Joe Torre, who is currently MLB’s Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations, has seen all sides of baseball as a player, manager, broadcaster and baseball executive. As a player he was a nine-time All-Star and the 1971 National League Most Valuable Player. A 29-year manager in the Majors, Torre took the New York Yankees to the playoffs in each of his 12 full seasons as manager. He led the team to six American League titles and four World Series championships. He earned the inaugural Chuck Tanner Major League Baseball Manager of the Year Award in 2007 and took home Sporting News’ Manager of the Decade in 2009. Sports Illustrated named him Best Manager of the Decade in 2009, and the magazine also placed Torre as third on its Top 10 Coaches/Mangers of the Decade for U.S. professional and college sports.

Robinson and Torre are powerful representatives and ambassadors of baseball and its positive impact on society.

The B’nai B’rith Distinguished Humanitarian Award recognizes personal and professional commitments to improving the lives of others at the community and global levels.

“We are so pleased to recognize Bud Selig for all he does in the community. As a lifelong baseball fan, it’s heartening to know that the game I love and follow has such a dedicated and compassionate sense of civic responsibility. Bud Selig shares our commitment to making the world a better place and we are delighted to honor him with the Distinguished Humanitarian Award,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.

B’nai B’rith International, the Global Voice of the Jewish Community, is the most widely known Jewish humanitarian, human rights and advocacy organization.  B’nai B’rith works to aid the victims of disaster; improves the lives of senior citizens through housing and advocacy; promotes health initiatives and education; provides youth leadership training; serves community members in need; and fights intolerance around the world.  B’nai B’rith…since 1843. Visit www.bnaibrith.org.