Amazin’ Mets Foundation Awards Second Annual Legacy Award to Louisville Slugger Warriors Amputee Baseball Team
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FLUSHING, N.Y., September 26, 2024 –The Amazin’ Mets Foundation, led by Foundation President and Mets Owner Alex Cohen, awarded the second annual Amazin’ Mets Foundation Legacy Award to the Louisville Slugger Warriors Amputee Baseball Team in a pregame ceremony on Saturday, September 21. The Amazin’ Mets Foundation Legacy Award celebrates the people and organizations in the baseball community that are making a difference and driving impactful change, on and off the field.
The Louisville Slugger Warriors are a nationally sponsored and extremely competitive amputee baseball team that consists of U.S. Military Veterans, Active Duty personnel, Wounded Warriors, and current and former amputee college baseball players. The Warriors are coached by former Major League Baseball players who donate their time and expertise. The team is currently coached by Curtis Pride, a deaf former MLB player and advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing in sports. Mr. Pride was originally drafted by the Mets in 1986 and previously coached the Gallaudet University baseball team.
“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is proud to honor the Warriors Amputee Baseball Team with the Legacy Award and highlight their resilience, determination, and passion for baseball,” said Alex Cohen, Foundation President and Mets Owner. “Their story inspires people of all abilities to participate in the game we love so much. We were especially honored to welcome Curtis Pride, a former draft pick by the Mets, to Citi Field.”
Also joining Alex Cohen at Citi Field for the award ceremony was General Manager David Van Sleet, who served in the Army and worked for the Department of Veterans, specializing in prosthetics, catcher Carlo James Adame, retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class who served three tours of duty in Iraq and is a right leg amputee, and pitcher Parker Hanson, a motivational speaker who was born without a left hand.
The team plays in national baseball tournaments around the country and in special baseball game events, all against-able bodied teams. They currently play in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the Ball Park of the Palm Beaches and are also filming a documentary, Curveballs, as a way to inspire others.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s inaugural Legacy Award honored Maybelle Blair, a champion for women’s baseball, in 2023. Since its inception in 2021, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation has funded over $11.9 million in grants to over 170 organizations in the community, including the communities surrounding affiliate teams.
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