The Most Valuable Philanthropist award recognizes a Player whose efforts have made a positive impact in the causes and communities personal to him. The MVP award is offered three times over the course of the regular season, celebrating the individual Player who demonstrates an altruistic spirit and positive social impact beyond the diamond.
The winner of this award will receive a grant in his name to the charity of his choice, as well as automatic consideration for the Philanthropist of the Year Award which is given at the end of the year.
INTRODUCING THE 2024 REGULAR SEASON AWARD RECIPIENTS
TREVOR WILLIAMS - JULY 2024
The Players Trust will award a $5,000 grant in Williams’ honor to Project 34, a nonprofit organization founded by Williams and his Arizona State baseball teammate, Cory Hahn. Project 34’s work centers around improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.
Williams, a San Diego native, played baseball Arizona State before being drafted in the second round by the Miami Marlins. The 32-year-old has spent seven seasons with the Pirates, Cubs, Mets, and Nationals, but his experiences at Arizona State inspired Project 34 after his teammate, Cory Hahn, suffered a serious spinal cord injury during a 2011 game. Hahn was left paralyzed from the chest down after a head-first slide into second base fractured his C-5 vertebra. Since its founding, Project 34 has bestowed more than 300 grants to purchase medical equipment and assistive devices that might be otherwise inaccessible for spinal injury patients.
“It is an honor to be named a Most Valuable Philanthropist this season and to have the support and partnership of the Players Trust on Project 34,” said Williams. “Cory’s resilience and courage in the face of adversity have been a source of great inspiration for me. I honor Cory every day by wearing number 34 on my uniform, and through our work together on Project 34 improving the lives of those overcoming spinal injuries, as well as their families. Recovery from these injuries is a massive financial burden, and we are here to ease that burden as much as we can.”
JOSE TREVINO - APRIL 2024
In recognition of Trevino’s tireless charitable work, the Players Trust will award a $5,000 grant in his honor to Special Hearts in the Arts, a nonprofit organization that offers arts programs in music, theater, film and other fields for individuals with special needs in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“I have known Jose since he was a student in my class, and for years have been blessed to witness his endless generosity and concern for others” said Special Hearts founder Sherri Davis. “Jose always makes time to visit with our performers when he is home in Corpus Christi, and has been a longtime supporter of our work. We are so proud of his success and grateful for his donation to help grow our organization.”
Trevino, 31, attended St. John Paul II High School in Corpus Christi before moving on to Oral Roberts University and a career in professional baseball.
“Since she was my teacher back in high school, Ms. Davis has instilled in me a passion for helping others, and the lessons I’ve learned from her have had an enormous impact on my life to this day,” Trevino said. “I’m so glad I have the opportunity to pay it forward and give back by supporting Special Hearts, helping special needs students in Corpus Christi explore music, theater, art and more.”
2023 REGULAR SEASON AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023 PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR
Francisco Lindor was the winner of its 2023 Philanthropist of the Year Award. The four-time All-Star shortstop was honored at the 2nd annual Playmakers Classic presented by Fanatics in Las Vegas for his tireless charitable work this year and throughout his baseball career. The Players Trust donated $25,000 to the Francisco Lindor Scholarship Fund in his honor.
The fund was established by Lindor in 2020 and provides financial assistance to deserving students at Montverde Academy, Lindor’s high school alma mater. He has long credited the Academy with providing him with a strong foundation that helped ease his professional journey in Major League Baseball. He has also credited the diversity and structure at Montverde with helping him develop his decision-making, judgment and leadership skills.