Largest fundraising event in Baltimore to Honor Hall of Fame Manager Tony La Russa, Legendary Golfer Annika Sorenstam, and Retired Marine and Paralympic Athlete Rob Jones
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation today announced its honorees for the 16th annual Aspire Gala, which will include National Baseball Hall of Fame Manager, Tony La Russa, Professional Golfer & 10-time Major Champion, Annika Sorenstam, and United States Marine & Paralympic Athlete, Rob Jones. The gala will take place on Friday, February 21 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel and is recognized as the largest fundraising event in Baltimore, raising $4.45M last year.
“The Aspire Gala is all about celebrating those who are dedicated to improving the lives of others,” said Steve Salem, President and CEO of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “It’s an honor to recognize Tony, Annika, and Rob and we’re looking forward to continuing our work together to improve the lives of at-risk youth in distressed communities across the country.”
In 33 years as a Major League Baseball manager, La Russa guided his teams to three World Series titles, six league championships, and 12 division titles. His 2,728 victories rank third most for a major league manager. La Russa led the Oakland Athletics to three consecutive American League Pennants and World Series appearances from 1988 to 1990. La Russa earned the Manager of the Year award a record-breaking four times in 1983, 1988, 1992, and 2002. After winning his third World Series in 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals, La Russa retired and has held various positions in MLB front offices. La Russa was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Sorenstam is often regarded as the greatest female golfer of all time. During her 16-year, Hall of Fame career, she amassed 89 victories worldwide including 72 on the LPGA and 10 Major Championships. Sorenstam also holds, a record, eight Rolex Player of the Year awards and six Vare Trophies for the lowest season scoring average. In 2001, she became the first-and still only – female to break 60 in an official event. In 2008, Sorenstam stepped away from competitive golf and established the ANNIKA brand. As President and CEO of ANNIKA, Club 59, Inc., she oversees a variety of businesses including the ANNIKA Foundation which aims to develop women’s golf around the world and encourage children to lead healthy, active lifestyles.
Jones, a retired Marine, motivational speaker, and Paralympic athlete has dedicated his life towards inspiring others to have a meaningful life after he lost both legs above the knee in an improvised explosive devise blast while serving in Afghanistan. Jones won a bronze medal with Oksana Masters in rowing at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. In 2017, Jones ran 31 different marathons in 31 days in 31 different cities, raising more than $200,000 for the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. He was awarded the Purple Heart and has worked with the Ripken Foundation to inspire program participants at various Foundation events.
About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
For the last 18 years, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has worked tirelessly to implement youth development programs and create parks that directly address the problems facing at-risk youth in distressed communities across the country. Inspired by one of the most iconic baseball families, the Ripkens created the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to honor the legacy of its family patriarch, longtime coach, and mentor, Cal Ripken, Sr. The Ripken Foundation uses sports-themed activities to bring police officers, youth partners and underserved kids ages 9 – 14 together on a level playing field to learn invaluable life skills.
The Ripken Foundation’s Youth Development Park Initiative creates clean, safe places for kids to play on multipurpose, synthetic surface fields that promote healthy living in an outdoor recreational facility. Since 2009, the Ripken Foundation has 88 completed parks across the country in 23 states. In 2018, the Ripken Foundation impacted over 1.5 million kids nationwide through its Youth Development Park and mentor programs. For more information, visit www.RipkenFoundation.org. Follow @CalRipkenSrFdn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
