Hometown Heroes Program A Hit With Baseball Fans

Summary: Baseball fans will be taking a big swing at a program that will let them pick the most outstanding player of each Major League Baseball Club.

Baseball fans will be taking a big swing at a program that will let them pick the most outstanding player of each Major League Baseball Club. Major League Baseball (MLB) and DHL, the "Official Express Delivery and Logistics Provider" of Major League Baseball and MLB.com, have announced a new program focusing on the legacy of the game of Baseball by recognizing the most outstanding player ever for each of Major League Baseball's 30 franchises. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for the most outstanding player in the history of each MLB franchise based on specific criteria to determine who is deserving of being named the hometown hero. A special ballot for the Hometown Heroes program has been produced featuring five players per franchise. Nominees selected to appear on the ballot were chosen for their contributions to their Club's history using the Hometown Heroes selection criteria of on-field performance, leadership quality and character value. Fans may also write in the name of the player they choose as a Hometown Hero. Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, legendary shortstop and third baseman Cal Ripken, Jr., famed MLB player and manager Lou Piniella, and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith have all joined DHL to encourage fans to vote for their Hometown Heroes as part of DHL's multistadium tour during the second half of the 2006 season. How To Vote For Your Hometown Hero: From July 18 thru September 17, fans will be able to select one of the five nominated players, or write in a candidate of their own choosing, for each Club as part of the "DHL Presents Major League Baseball's Hometown Heroes" program. There are no voting restrictions based on fans' geographic location. Fans can vote: • In-stadium at all 30 MLB ballparks in the U.S. and Canada • By sending a text message with the keyword "DHL" to 55222 • Online at MLB.com