Each year, the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity presents the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award to the Major League Baseball Player who best exemplifies the spirit and character of Brother Lou Gehrig, both on and off the field.  This award is the first and only “officially” sanctioned Major League Baseball award given to ballplayers by a fraternity.

Lou Gehrig was a distinguished member of Phi Delta Theta and a man of integrity.  The award was created to acknowledge an individual player’s outstanding commitment to both his community and philanthropy. 

Since the award’s inception in 1955, the name of each recipient has been placed on the permanent Gehrig Award plaque, located at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. 

The Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Committee, a team of alumni brothers associated in some capacity with Major League Baseball, selects the recipient.  Though any active Major League Baseball player is eligible to receive a vote on his behalf, the committee does utilize a nomination process.  The suggested nominees consist of the most qualified candidates submitted to the committee, including nominations from a player’s team, Phi Delt alumni clubs, and individuals.

            

2009 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Nominees

This year’s winner will be announced in late April and the winning player will receive his award at a special presentation later this season prior to a home game.  If you’d like to be a part of the presentation on-field there are two distinct ways that you can become a part of the festivities.  The presentation will include a member of the True Blue Society and an Iron Phi.

Here are this year’s nominees: 

Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals
Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Jeff Suppan, Milwaukee Brewers
Kerry Wood, Cleveland Indians
Michael Young, Texas Rangers
Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants

The True Blue Society is Phi Delta Theta’s alumni loyalty association that supports the Fraternity’s alumni and communication programming.  In addition to having a chance to attend the Gehrig presentation when joining, members also receive a subscription to the printed edition of The Scroll, lapel pin, membership certificate, and discounts for entertainment, travel, and at retailers such as Brooks Brothers.  If you join during the current membership campaign, you will also receive a very special True Blue executive tie.  To hear why ESPN Broadcaster and Phi, Trey Wingo joined the True Blue Society, click here.

To find out more about the True Blue Society and to join, click here. 

Iron Phi was developed as a way to strengthen both Phi Delta Theta and its impact on the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease. Through the fundraising efforts of members of Phi Delta Theta on the way to achieving personal athletic goals, the Fraternity is mobilizing its membership base to help the Phi Delta Theta Foundation and The ALS Association achieve their missions.  To become an "Iron Phi", members of Phi Delta Theta (undergraduates and alumni) must select an athletic endeavor (marathon, half-marathon, running relay, triathlon, duathlon, ironman, bike race, etc.), raise $1,000 during the training for that athletic event, and accomplish the athletic event itself.

Learn more about becoming an Iron Phi.

Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Winners (Listed in Chronological Order)

1955 - Alvin Dark, New York Giants, Shortstop-  Member of Phi Delta Theta (Louisiana State '45)

1956 - Pee Wee Reese, Brooklyn Dodgers, Shortstop

1957 - Stan Musial, St. Louis Cardinals, First Base

1958 - Gil McDougald, New York Yankees, Second Base

1959 - Gil Hodges, Los Angeles Dogers, First Base

1960 - Dick Groat, Pittsburgh Pirates, Shortstop

1961 - Warren Spahn, Milwaukee Braves, Pitcher

1962 - Robin Roberts, Baltimore Orioloes, Pitcher

1963 - Bobby Richardson, New York Yankees, Second Base

1964 - Ken Boyer, St. Louis Cardinals, Third Base

1965 - Vern Law, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitcher

1966 - Brooks Robinson, Baltimore Orioles, Third Base

1967 - Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs, First Base

1968 - Al Kaline, Detroit Tigers, Right Field

1969 - Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds, Right Field

1970 - Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves, Right Field

1971 - Harmon Killebrew, Minnesota Twins, First Base

1972 - Wes Parker, Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base

1973 - Ron Santo, Chicago Cubs, Third Base

1974 - Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates, Left Field

1975 - Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, Catcher

1976 - Don Sutton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher

1977 - Lou Brock, St. Louis Cardinals, Left Field

1978 - Don Kessinger, Chicago White Sox, Shortstop

1979 - Phil Niekro, Atlanta Braves, Pitcher

1980 - Tony Perez, Boston Red Sox - First Base

1981 - Tommy John, New York Yankees - Pitcher

1982 - Ron Cey, Los Angeles Dodgers, Third Base -  Member of Phi Delta Theta (Washington State '70)

1983 - Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies, Third Base

1984 - Steve Garvey, San Diego Padres, First Base

1985 - Dale Murphy, Atlanta Braves, Center Field

1986 - George Brett, Kansas City Royals, Third Base

1987 - Rick Sutcliffe, Chicago Cubs, Pitcher

1988 - Buddy Bell, Cincinnati Reds, Third Base

1989 - Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals, Shortstop

1990 - Glenn Davis, Houston Astros, First Base

1991 - Kent Hrbek, Minnesota Twins, First Base

1992 - Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles, Shortstop

1993 - Don Mattingly, New York Yankees, First Base

1994 - Barry Larkin, Cincinnati Reds, Shortstop

1995 - Curt Schilling, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitcher

1996 - Brett Butler, Los Angeles Dodgers, Center Field

1997 - Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins, Designated Hitter

1998 - Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres, Right Field

1999 - Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals, First Base

2000 - Todd Stottlemyre, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pitcher

2001 - John Franco, New York Mets, Pitcher

2002 - Danny Graves, Cincinnati Reds, Pitcher

2003- Jamie Moyer, Seattle Mariners, Pitchers

2004 - Jim Thome, Philadelphia Phillies, First Base

2005 - John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves, Pitcher

2006 - Trevor Hoffman, San Diego Padres, Pitcher

2007 - Mike Timlin, Boston Red Sox, Pitcher - Member of Phi Delta Theta (Southwestern '88)

2008 - Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies, Center Field

See links to all past winners online at Baseball Almanac.