With more baseball stars‚ a bigger program‚ and a higher profile than predecessor Major League Fare‚ the first-ever Diamond Awards raised a record amount of money for ataxia research at the University of Minnesota. Last year’s event netted $207‚000 for the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center‚ while this year’s Diamond Awards brought in even more‚ with projected net proceeds of $212‚000.
On top of that‚ Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad was so inspired by the night’s program and the Allison family’s commitment to ataxia that he announced a donation of $500‚000 on behalf of the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation.
The Diamond Awards‚ held January 26 at The Historic Depot in Minneapolis‚ included an awards ceremony‚ dinner‚ silent auction‚ and reception where guests could mingle with Minnesota baseball greats. The celebration of baseball was a team effort of the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America‚ Minnesota Twins‚ and BAARC.
Among the awards handed out that night was the first-ever Bob Allison Award. The award —for the Twins player who exhibits the most determination‚ hustle‚ tenacity‚ competitive spirit‚ and leadership—went to backup catcher Mike Redmond.
Thank you to those who sponsored the Diamond Awards
Presenting sponsor
Coca-Cola
Hall of Fame sponsors
Minnesota Twins
North Star
Resource Group
Old Dutch
Grand Slam sponsors
Cub Foods
Hormel Foods
Kemps
Luther Automobile Dealerships
Home Run sponsors
Thomas J. and Deborah A. Juba
Sue and John Marcotte
Roitenberg Investments
Bill and Sharon Stumph
TCF Bank
Double sponsors
Great Clips‚ Inc.
Rider Bennet‚ LLP
Riverdale 2005‚ LLC
