Press Release

The Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Home Run Challenge Hits a Grand Slam for Prostate Cancer Research   
In partnership with Major League Baseball, 128 home runs were hit, culminating on Father’s Day, raising more than $2 million for prostate cancer research          

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 28, 2005 – The 9th Annual Home Run Challenge, a partnership between the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and Major League Baseball (MLB), raised more than $2 million for prostate cancer research. During the event timeframe -- June 8th through 19th -- fans made pledges for 60 pre-selected games resulting in 128 home runs, prior to Father’s Day. The money will be used exclusively to develop better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer, the most common non-skin cancer in America. To date, the PCF’s Home Run Challenge has raised nearly $23 million with each dollar funding critical laboratory and clinical work conducted by talented and dedicated scientists around the world.

Since 1993, when the PCF was founded, there has been a remarkable 30 percent reduction in annual U.S. prostate cancer deaths. However, prostate cancer largely strikes men in their 50’s and 60’s and as Baby Boomers age into the target zone, the number of new cases is expected to increase from 232,000 men this year to 300,000 within a decade.

"By so generously contributing to this important cause, baseball fans demonstrate they are one of the greatest groups of sports fans in the world,” said PCF Chairman Michael Milken. “In 30 years of supporting medical research, I’ve never seen such an enthusiastic response. All 30 MLB teams -- along with coaches, players, managers, umpires and even groundskeepers -- also pitched in to help “keep Dad in the game.” It was truly a remarkable two weeks for the PCF, and more importantly, for the men who are at risk of getting prostate cancer.”

The Texas Rangers’ Mark Teixeira, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Hee-Sop Choi, Atlanta Braves’ Andruw Jones, Baltimore Orioles’ Sammy Sosa and Philadelphia Phillies’ Pat Burrell were tied for the No. 1 position as 2005 Home Run Challenge “champs,” each slugging three homers for the cause during the week-long event. Representing the teams, the Texas Rangers had the most home runs with 11 and the American League out-slugged the National League 66 to 62. In addition, on June 18th, Sammy Sosa tied retired player Eric Karros for the most HRC home runs of all time by hitting 15 in the last 10 years.

As part of the Home Run Challenge, players, coaches, managers, trainers, groundskeepers, umpires and equipment managers, wore blue to show their support on Father’s Day. All teams that playing at home on June 19th featured a special MLB/Father’s Day blue ribbon logo on batting helmets, blue ribbon ceremonial home plates, ceremonial bases and pitching rubbers as well as lineup cards. In addition, during the week of Father’s Day, each team conducted special Home Run Challenge events including pre-game ceremonies; first pitch opportunities featuring prostate cancer survivors, researchers, or advocates; public service announcements on scoreboards; the distribution of temporary blue ribbon tattoos to fans.

Hall of Fame members Reggie Jackson, Tommy Lasorda, Dennis Eckersley as well as hockey legend Wayne Gretzky served as Home Run Challenge goodwill ambassadors visiting 24 ballparks in June to call attention to the cause. Additionally, each team had a PCF player representative who endorsed the Home Run Challenge and was involved in many regional activities. The 2005 Home Run Challenge player co-chairs included retired players Robin Ventura and Terry Steinbach and current players Jim Thome, Luis Gonzalez, Scott Rolen, Mike Sweeney, Jacque Jones, Corey Koskie, Jason Giambi, Dan Wilson, Carlos Delgado and Tim Salmon. All 30 Major League managers participated including manager co-chairs Joe Torre, Dusty Baker, Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox, Jim Tracy, Ozzie Guillen, Lou Piniella, Bruce Bochy, Buck Showalter, Felipe Alou, Mike Hargrove, Ron Gardenhire, Lloyd McClendon and Mike Scioscia.

Sarah Evans
(310) 570-4705
sevans@prostatecancerfoundation.org

Katie Lambe
(310) 570-4713
klambe@prostatecancerfoundation.org