Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer was named a finalist for the 2015 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award. The award honors a current MLB player who who possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving their country that Bob Feller himself displayed.
Feller was one of the first athletes to enlist in the army after the attack on Pearl Harbor on 1941.
Bauer teamed up with Athletes Brand to design a T-shirt to benefit the Lone Survivor Foundation. The Lone Survivor Foundation provides education, rehabilitation, recovery and wellness opportunities to members of the U.S. Armed forces and their families.
I'm doing a shirt for a cause with @athletesbrand to support @LS_Foundation ! Which design do you like more? pic.twitter.com/PZtfJP6QyD
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) April 23, 2015
Bauer's shirt was inspired by the story of former Navy SEAL Marcus Lutrell, who received a Purple Heart from his actions in a 2005 ambush by Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings.
Not only is Bauer working to raise money for the foundation, his nomination letter stated, but Bauer hopes this educates people on the struggles wounded vets are faced with after sacrificing their lives for our country and freedom. Bauer's goal was to reach 20 million people and raise at least $7,000 in two weeks.
Bauer told the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation: “I have a lot of respect for the men and women who choose to protect our country, especially elite warriors who are sent on the most dangerous missions. I draw a lot of inspiration from Marcus Luttrell’s story and want to be a part of the effort to help the men and women who have served establish a happy, healthy and productive life.”
Previous winners of the Act of Valor Award include Justin Verlander, Nick Swisher, Yogi Berra and Tommy Lasorda. Finalists for the active player award will be announced later this season and the winners in all four categories will be honored in a Veterans Day ceremony in Washington, DC at the United States Navy Memorial.
Indians Hall of Famer Bob Lemon was also nominated for the award in the Hall of Famer category.
