John Franco To Lead 'Team Franco' In All-Star Game 5K At Prospect Park
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Major League Baseball announces All-Star 5K benefiting Superstorm Sandy Relief -- Presented by Nike on Saturday, July 13.
- Top Fundraisers Can Throw First Pitch of Home Run Derby or Participate in Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game
- Mets Legend and New York City Native John Franco to Lead Team Franco
- MLB is partnering with New York Road Runners for Event in Brooklyn Prospect Park Fans Can Register Online at AllStarGame.com/Run
The fourth MLB All-Star Game 5K & Fun Run presented by Nike will benefit Sandy Relief and take place on Saturday, July 13th in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York, it was announced today by Major League Baseball. MLB is working with New York Road Runners and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to organize the event and will donate all net proceeds to charities supporting relief from Superstorm Sandy.
Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to create their own fundraising team profile page online. The top fundraisers will have the chance to win special All-Star experience prizes including tickets to All-Star events, throwing out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Home Run Derby and the chance to join celebrities and Hall of Famers on a team competing in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. Prizes also will be awarded to the races top finishers.
Four-time All-Star John Franco has created Team Franco to participate in the All-Star 5K & Fun Run Benefiting Sandy Relief presented by Nike. Fans can register to be a part of his fundraising team at AllStarGame.com/Run.
The Brooklyn, New York native compiled a career record of 90-87 with 424 saves and a 2.89 ERA over 1,119 appearances. A product of St. John.s University, Franco ranks fourth on Major League Baseball's all-time saves list, and he holds the record for saves by a left-handed pitcher.
Franco, who was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame last June, is currently in his fifth season as a Club Ambassador for the Mets.
"I'm honored to join Major League Baseball in helping fellow New Yorkers who are still trying to recover from the storm's damage," said Franco. "I want to encourage everyone to help me raise money for the cause by joining Team Franco."
Participants of all ages will make their way through an All-Star themed course inside Prospect Park that will feature appearances by MLB legends, mascots and celebrity guests. The event will count as part of the 9+1 Program to earn guaranteed entry to the ING New York City Marathon for NYRR members who meet eligibility requirements. Previous MLB All-Star Game 5K & Fun Run events have been held in St. Louis (2009), Anaheim (2010) and Kansas City (2012).
The 5K, an officially timed New York Road Runners event, will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET with the family-friendly 1.5 Mile Fun Run immediately following the 5K start. All registered participants will receive a commemorative event T-shirt and top fundraisers will be eligible to win exclusive MLB prizes. Fans who sign up by June 15 will receive a special early bird price of $35 (adult) and $30 (children 17 and under) for the 5K and Fun Run. Space is limited so participants of all ages are encouraged to sign up early. Registration and event information is available at AllStarGame.com/Run, where fans interested in registering a team of participants can create a fundraising team profile page via a platform powered by Karma411.
"The Tri-State area and many of its residents are still trying to recover from the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy and Major League Baseball recognizes more help is needed," said Tim Brosnan, MLB Executive Vice President, Business. "With the All-Star Game taking place in New York City, it gives MLB the opportunity to conduct events that will benefit those still affected by the storm."
"This event is more than a foot race. It's about our united effort and resolve to help the City continue to
recover from the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy," said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New
York Road Runners. "This partnership with MLB allows us to reach an even greater audience, dedicated baseball fans and runners can show and share their passions, all in a combined effort to aid the City in its continued road to recovery."
In the immediate wake of the Superstorm Sandy, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association joined together to donate $1 million to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Feeding America to assist emergency relief efforts in the most devastated areas along the East Coast affected by the storm. Additionally, MLB worked closely with all 30 MLB Clubs and its broadcasting and digital partners to encourage baseball fans to support the Red Cross via public service announcements, programming mentions and editorial coverage on MLB Network and MLB.com. In the weeks after the storm, Mets players and staff visited affected areas in Staten Island, Far Rockaway, Breezy Point, Coney Island and Long Beach bringing food and supplies to aid in the recovery. The New York Mets Foundation and David Wright also donated $250,000 to the Mayor.s Fund to Advance New York City to support hurricane restoration efforts.
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