Adam Jones Named MLB's Man Of The Year
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- He's a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, but now, the face of the Baltimore Orioles, Adam Jones, is honored with an even more prestigious award.
The star center fielder is being recognized for giving back to the community.
Marcus Washington with the special honor for Jones.
His work on the field has made him an Orioles fan favorite, but center fielder Adam Jones plays just as hard off the field, giving back to youth in Baltimore.
"He is so committed to children in the community and Baltimore City--period," said Kenneth Darden, president and CEO, Boys and Girls Club. "He's been very committed to this organization, but there's other organizations that he works with as well. And he does it from the heart."
It's that kind of work that garnered Jones Major League Baseball's 2015 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, recognizing a single player for his role on and off the field.
"We were so very pleased and proud when we heard that he was going to receive this award. I don't think anyone deserves this award more than him," said Darden.
For years, Jones has been a helping hand, donating money to build two technology centers, helping hundreds of kids with the Boys and Girls Club in Baltimore.
When it comes to the Adam Jones and Baltimore Orioles Science and Technology Center, the use isn't just for the Boys and Girls Club members--it's also useful for the parents.
"Parents that come in to fill in job applications or if there is anything they need to complete personally and they need the computer as a resource, they come in," said Candice Crenshaw, Boys and Girls Club.
There are 104 club members at the Brooklyn-O'Malley Boys and Girls Club, and Crenshaw says the Science and Technology Center is opening its doors to the world for the kids.
"Even for our younger club members, we may say look up facts about animals. All they have to do is click a button. They explore all these interesting, unknown facts and they become known to them," said Crenshaw.
The help of one man, touching the lives of so many, opening doors to a home run in life.
"He's made a promise that as long as he's here with the Orioles, he's going to support the Boys and Girls Club here in Metropolitan Baltimore. So we want the Orioles to keep him for a long time," said Darden.
Jones is the first Orioles player to win this award. Congratulations!
This year has been a great one for Jones. He was awarded the Governor's Service Award in Maryland and the MLB Players Association's Brooks Robinson Community Service Award.
