Johan Santana to receive 2007 Carl R. Pohlad Community Service Award

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund announced it has selected Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana as the recipient of the 2007 Carl R. Pohlad Community Service Award. Santana was presented with his award on Saturday, September 22 during a pregame ceremony. In addition, he will be recognized at the annual Diamond Awards in January 2008.

The Carl R. Pohlad Award, given by the Twins Community Fund Board of Directors, recognizes a current Minnesota Twins player, coach or manager who supports Upper Midwest communities by contributing his time and efforts to community appearances, fundraising and advocacy of non-profit organizations. The award is named in honor of the Twins’ owner, who has always championed community involvement. Past award winners include Brian Harper, Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Paul Molitor, Rick Aguilera, Terry Steinbach, Ron Coomer, Denny Hocking, Brad Radke, Doug Mientkiewicz, Torii Hunter, Ron Gardenhire and Michael Cuddyer.

Santana has contributed to communities both here in the Twins Cities and his native Venezuela, including purchasing and shipping a fire engine in 2006 to his hometown in Venezuela to provide for the public safety of his friends and neighbors. Most recently, he started his own fundraising bowling tournament called Johan Santana’s Perfect Game, which raised more than $125,000 for Venezuela charities and the SHADE Foundation, which works for research and treatments for skin cancer.

In conjunction with each of the two awards, the Twins Community Fund will contribute $5,000 to the charities designated by Santana.

The Twins Community Fund is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins. The Minnesota Twins and the Twins Community Fund annually distribute more than $3.5 million in support to Upper Midwest community organizations.

Carl R. Pohlad Award Winners

2007 - Johan Santana
2006 - Michael Cuddyer
2005 - Ron Gardenhire
2004 - Torii Hunter
2003 - Doug Mientkiewicz
2002 - Brad Radke
2001 - Corey Koskie
2000 - Denny Hocking
1999 - Ron Coomer