DUARTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hall of Fame baseball player Rod Carew has been selected as the recipient of the Celebration of Life Award in conjunction with the inaugural Fred Claire Celebrity Golf Classic that benefits City of Hope.
“We are honored that Rod will be with us at our tournament dinner to accept this award and I can’t think of anyone more deserving,” said Claire, the former longtime executive vice-president and general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The tournament and dinner will be held Aug. 14 at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, California.
“Rod’s recent health journey is truly a celebration of life and his ongoing efforts on behalf of heart disease and history of being involved in great causes to help others is an inspiring story,” said Claire.
Carew, 71, is among the greatest hitters of all time, a seven-time batting champion and first-ballot selection to the Hall of Fame. In retirement, he’s championed several causes—including the fight against heart disease since becoming a survivor last year. He partnered with the American Heart Association on Heart of 29, a campaign named for the jersey number he wore throughout his 19-year career with the Minnesota Twins and California Angels.
After suffering a massive heart attack on a golf course in 2015, Carew says some of the most important work of his life now is off the field.
“I always felt like I was healthy, I never felt like anything was wrong with me, until that morning that I had a massive heart attack,” said Carew
Carew got a second chance at life in December when he got a heart and kidney transplant from another professional athlete, Konrad Reuland, a former NFL tight end who suffered a brain aneurysm two days after Thanksgiving.
City of Hope and a volunteer staff that was assembled with the help of Claire has rounded up a great group of celebrities to participate in the tournament and dinner presented by the National Life Industry Council.
Among the celebrities participating are fellow Hall of Fame player Eddie Murray; Shawn Green, Orel Hershiser, Mickey Hatcher, Maury Wills, Reggie Smith, Bill Russell, Steve Yeager, Wes Parker, Ron Fairly, Jimmy and Jim Campanis, Joey Amaliftano, Kurt Bevacqua, former Carew Angel teammates Doug DeCinces and Rick Burleson, Matt Young, Glendon Rusch, Ken Landreaux, Derrel Thomas, Tommy Davis, Al Ferrara, Jay Johnstone, Tim Leary, Greg Dobbs, former Heisman Trophy winner Mike Garrett, former UCLA basketball coach Jim Harrick, and John Naber, one of American’s most successful Olympic champions with four gold medals in swimming.
A shotgun start is slated for 11 a.m. and will be followed by a cocktail reception at 4:30 p.m. with dinner and program at 5:30 p.m. Ross Porter and Jamie Jarrin will emcee the program. Tickets for the dinner are available through City of Hope.
Auction prizes for the tournament will include a luncheon with Vin Scully, Porter and Jarrin; a luncheon with Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, Hershiser, Garvey, Hatcher and Claire; a softball game at Dodger Stadium for 30 people, a flight to Pebble Beach for a foursome for a round of golf, and special nights for fans provided by the Angels and San Diego Padres, as well as a number of events at the Rose Bowl.
Members of the news media are invited to cover the tournament and dinner at Oakmont Country Club. For additional information please call Arian Castellanos at 626-315-0867.
About City of Hope
City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 48 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with community clinics throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution.
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