Space Coast Daily’s Terry Spain sits on Board of Directors Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
WATCH: Jonathan Gray, pitcher for the Texas Rangers was named Major League Baseball’s recipient of the 2023 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award. The award honors the legacy of National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who made the selfless decision to put his career in Major League Baseball on hold to serve our country. According to the selection committee, Gray “possess the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed.” Space Coast Daily’s Terry Spain sits on the Board of Directors for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Jonathan Gray, pitcher for the Texas Rangers was named Major League Baseball’s recipient of the 2023 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.
Space Coast Daily’s Terry Spain sits on the Board of Directors for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation.
The award honors the legacy of National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who made the selfless decision to put his career in Major League Baseball on hold to serve our country. According to the selection committee, Gray “possess the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed.”
Jonathan Gray has been a mainstay on the Texas Rangers pitching staff in 2023 – playing a large role in the Rangers appearance in October Baseball. The 31year-old righthander posted a 9-8 record and 4.12 ERA in 29 starts this season, his 9th as a big leaguer. Jon owns a career mark of 69-64 and 4.45ERA. Jon is also a mainstay off the field.
In 2022, Jon began the #MissionGraywWolf22 program hosting military groups to three Texas Rangers home games. The invitation included the opportunity for 28 service men, women, and spouses to attend the game as his guests. They were treated to complimentary parking, premier seating with a $25 cash value added to each ticket as well as an inclusive meet and greet with Jon which included a question-and-answer segment, autographs, and a group photo.
Groups hosted were Airman and Family Readiness Center at the NAS JRB, Dyess Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base.
In addition, Jon and his wife Jacklyn hosted a Toy Drive in December to collect toys for Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex and raised more than 900 toys, helping more than 16,000 families provide toys for their children. He also donated $100 for each of his strikeouts to The Pawerful Rescues for animals in need.
This season, Jon treated military families across Texas to 12 Rangers games through the #MissionGrayWolf22 program. His 28 special guests received complimentary parking, premier seating, $25 cash value added to each ticket, and an inclusive meet and greet with Jon to include a question-and-answer segment, autographs, and a group photo.
Each person will also receive a specially designed “missiongraywolf22” cap as a special treat. Groups hosted included: the 301st Fighter Wing, Adaptive Training Foundation, Dyess Air Force Base, Folds of Honor, Fort Hood Military Base, Fort Sill Air Force Base, Gold Star Moms, Goodwill Vets, Merging Vets and Players (MVP), Sheppard AFB, Vance Air Force Base and the USO.
Jon also donated $500 for each of his Texas Rangers’ wins to the Adaptive Training Foundation. The Rangers won 90 games this season resulting in a donation of $4,500.
Jon and his wife, Jacklyn hosted The Birthday Party Project during four Texas Rangers home games in a suite hosted by Jacklyn Gray which includes complimentary parking, suite tickets, goody bag, autograph card from Jonathan. They are also donating $100 for each of Jonathan’s strikeouts to The Birthday Party Project. The Birthday Party’s mission is to bring JOY to children experiencing homelessness through the MAGIC of a birthday celebration.
Jonathan was the Texas Rangers 2023 Roberto Clemente Award nominee for exemplary Community Service, the 2023 Lou Gehrig nominee, and is on the Board of the Taylor Hooton Foundation.
Upon receiving the news of being selected as the MLB Award recipient, he said, “To win the award feels great, it’s a huge honor and it’s a reminder that we can make a difference in the world for people we love.”
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