2008-10-07 17:59:03 -
www.pittsburghrotary.org - Joe Maddon, the current manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, has been selected as the Chuck Tanner Major League Baseball Manager of the Year for 2008. Mr. Maddon joins Joe Torre, the current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was honored in 2007 as the inaugural award recipient.
This award named for legendary baseball manager and
World Series Champion Chuck Tanner, is annually presented by the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh. Proceeds from the award banquet held in Pittsburgh support the Club's humanitarian service initiatives and Rotary Foundation Programs.
The award selection committee deemed that Mr. Maddon best exemplified Chuck Tanner's managing and leadership qualities, and selected him as this year's award recipient based on his extraordinary managing accomplishments during the 2007-2008 baseball season.
This year's award selection committee comprised former Major League Baseball players and executives, and sports media including Hal Bodley, sports journalist formerly with USA Today, Joe Morgan, Baseball Hall of Fame member and ESPN television broadcaster, Tal Smith, former baseball executive with the Houston Astros, Murray Chass, sports journalist formerly with The New York Times, and Roland Hemond, former baseball executive with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pittsburgh sports attorney and author Sam Reich coordinated the selection process, and Chuck Tanner served as an advisor to the selection committee.
Mr. Maddon will be presented with his award on November 15, 2008, at the Rivers Club, Downtown Pittsburgh. The event starts at 7 p.m. A press event will be held at 6:30 p.m., prior to the banquet. The banquet program will include a roast of Steve Blass, former Major League Baseball pitcher and a current broadcast announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Erie native and nationally recognized Celebrity Sports Artist Kevin-John has created a special Roberto Clemente memorabilia print for the event and will be present at the banquet to personally sign these limited prints. Kevin-John's artwork has been showcased on ESPN, Spike TV, and NBC, at Super Bowl XXXIX, XL, and XLI, and the PGA Tour.
For more information on the Chuck Tanner Major League Baseball Manager of the Year award or to purchase tickets to this year's award banquet, visit www.pittsburghrotary.org or call 412.471.6210.
Rotary Club of Pittsburgh
John Chamberlin, 412-992-6852
John.Chamberlin@rockpaperscissorschute.com 
