News
Fans can make final push for Braden
A's lefty up for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
09/09/09 7:55 PM ET
CHICAGO -- A's left-hander Dallas Braden isn't traveling with the club on its swing through the Windy City, the Twin Cities and Arlington, instead he is tending to the nerve damage in his left foot that cut short what was shaping up as a breakthrough season.Oakland's Opening Night starter in his first full year on the big league roster, Braden posted a 3.89 ERA over 22 starts before being placed on the disabled list with a rash that became an infection and eventually forced him to concede that his season was over.
Regardless, it was a good year on the field for Braden, who emerged as the leader of the youngest starting rotation in the Majors. For months, he was the oldest member -- at 25.
It's what Braden has done off the field, however, that keeps his name in circulation even as the A's play out the final weeks of the season without him.
In recognition of his community work in his hometown of Stockton, Calif., Braden was named by his teammates as Oakland's nominee for the MLB Players Association's 2009 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.
"Nobody does stuff like this to get recognized," Braden said earlier this year. "That's not what it's about, obviously. And I'm certainly not alone on this team in helping people. But if someone hears about what I'm doing [through the recognition I get for it] and decides, 'Hey, I want to help out, too,' then awesome."
Raised in a single-parent household, Braden has made it his goal to assist young children in similar circumstances. Each season, starting this year, he'll sponsor at least one Little Leaguer being raised by a single mom in Stockton. He's sponsoring a pair of brothers this year.
In June, he hosted every player from his former Little League, Hoover Tyler, at an A's game.
During Thanksgiving, Braden does his best to make sure that Stockton's needy enjoy a hot meal. In the weeks leading up to the day, he visits area restaurants, seeking -- then matching -- food donations. With his help, more than 845 pounds of food was served at St. Mary's Interfaith Services on Thanksgiving Eve.
"I know it's cliché, but it's true: If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
A's fans looking to boost Braden's chances of winning the award can vote for him online at MLBPLAYERS.com through Sunday. Michael Young of the Rangers was the recipient of the 2008 Man of the Year Award. Young serves as an ambassador for Wipe Out Kids Cancer, an organization committed to eradicating pediatric cancer by funding innovative research, education and treatment. He also is an active member of the Major League Baseball Players Trust's Action Team national youth volunteer program.
Past winners of the award, named for the legendary baseball union leader, include Torii Hunter, Albert Pujols, Jim Thome, John Smoltz, Mike Sweeney, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Eric Davis and Paul Molitor.
Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
