Ballpark District in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Branch Rickey Award

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

1. The Branch Rickey Award Marker

Inscription.
Known to millions of fans as “Mr. Baseball,” Branch Rickey was voted the “most influential person in sports in the 20th century” by ESPN’s Sportscentury Panel. Perhaps foremost among his accomplishments, Mr. Rickey is credited with breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. As President and General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, he signed the first African American player, Jackie Robinson.

The Branch Rickey Award, created by the Rotary Club of Denver, honors professionals in Major League Baseball for exceptional community service. These humanitarians personify Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

Recipients of the Branch Rickey Award and members of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame are:

1992 David Winfield • 1993 Kirby Puckett • 1994 Ozzie Smith • 1995 Tony Gwynn • 1996 Brett Butler • 1997 Craig Biggio • 1998 Paul Molitor • 1999 Al Leiter • 2000 Todd Stottlemyre • 2001 Curt Schilling • 2002 Bobby Valentine • 2003 Roland Hemond • 2004 Jamie Moyer • 2005 Luis Gonzalez • 2006 Tommy Lasorda • 2007 John Smoltz • 2008 Trevor Hoffman • 2009 Torii Hunter • 2010 Vernon Wells • 2011 Shane Victorino • 2012 R. A. Dickey • 2013 Clayton Kershaw • 2014 Anthony Rizzo

Erected 2005 by The Rotary Club of Denver.

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 39° 45.279′ N, 104° 59.648′ W. Marker is in Denver, Colorado, in Denver County. It is in the Ballpark District. It is at the intersection of Blake Street and 20th Street, on the right when traveling south on Blake Street. The marker and statue are located at the northwest corner of the intersection, directly in front of the Coors Field home plate entrance gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2151 Blake Street, Denver CO 80205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The House of Mirrors (about 500 feet away); Back-to-Back Postseasons 2017 & 2018 (about 700 feet away); Rockies Legend #17 Todd Helton (about 700 feet away); Windsor Farm Dairy Building (about 700 feet away); Incredible 2007 21-of-22 Run to the World Series (about 700

“The Player” Sculpture Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

2. “The Player” Sculpture Base

“It is not the honor that you take with you but the heritage you leave behind.”
~ Branch Rickey

Placed here by the Rotary Club of Denver
June 2, 2005
George Lundeen, Sculptor

feet away); #33 Larry Walker (about 700 feet away); The Blake Street Bombers (about 700 feet away); Merchandise Mart (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denver.

Other markers no longer nearby. Hop Alley/Chinese Riot of 1880 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Blake Street Area (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Red Light District Market Street (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Branch Rickey Award (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The Branch Rickey Award was given annually to an individual in Major League Baseball (MLB) in recognition of his exceptional community service from 1992 to 2014. The award was named in honor of former player and executive Branch Rickey.
The award, created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, was first awarded to Dave Winfield in 1992 at their annual banquet. Each MLB team nominates one individual who best exemplifies the Rotary Club motto: "Service Above Self". A vote is then conducted by the national selection
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

3. “The Player” Sculpture Base: Service Above Self
This sculpture and the base on which it sits were placed here by members and friends of the Rotary Club of Denver in celebration of the 100th birthday of Rotary International and the continuing involvement of Rotarians here and in their own communities in 168 countries around the world.
committee, which consists of members of the sports media, previous winners of the award, and Rotary district governors in major league cities. Proceeds of the banquet benefit Denver Kids, Inc., a charity for at-risk students who attend Denver Public Schools. Each winner receives a bronze sculpture of a baseball player measuring 24 inches, named "The Player", designed by sculptor George Lundeen. A larger version of "The Player", standing 13 feet tall, was erected at Coors Field in Denver.

(Submitted on September 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Branch Rickey (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Wesley Branch Rickey (December 20, 1881 – December 9, 1965) was an American baseball player, manager, sports executive, and team owner. Rickey was instrumental in breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier by signing black player Jackie Robinson. He also created the framework for the modern minor league farm system, encouraged the major leagues to add new teams through his involvement in the proposed Continental League, and introduced the batting helmet. He was posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967.
A quotation attributed to Rickey is: “Luck is the residue of design.”

(Submitted on September 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

“The Player” Sculpture Base: Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

4. “The Player” Sculpture Base: Dedication

The Rotary Club of Denver expresses its deep gratitude to the organizations and individuals who have contributed the funds to erect “The Player.”
Monfort Family Foundation
Colorado Rockies Foundation

Clarence G. Wilkins
in memory of 60 years of Rotary Service

[full list of contributor names not transcribed]

“The Player” Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

5. “The Player” Sculpture

The historical marker is the sculpture base panel on the far left.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

6. “The Player” Sculpture

Coors Field home plate entrance gate is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.