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11-11-2002, 05:51 PM
Higginson active in community
Outfielder honored by Ronald McDonald House
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
DETROIT -- With a new coaching regime in place, Bobby Higginson hopes to remain a fixture at Comerica Park. On Thursday, he returned to the ballpark for one of the charitable efforts that have helped make him a fixture in Detroit.
"I hope to be in Detroit for a long, long time," Higginson said, referring to remarks made last month that he hopes to remain a Tiger after the hiring of Alan Trammell as manager. "And I hope to be part of the Ronald McDonald House for a long time."
Higginson served as the guest of honor Thursday night for a fundraising dinner and auction to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. The evening was the latest step in Higginson's continuing efforts to give back to his adopted city.
A crowd in the neighborhood of 200 people paid for an evening of food and entertainment at Comerica Park's Tiger Club, raising close to $40,000. Executive director Jennifer Litomisky said they usually gather about five percent of their budget from the annual event.
It's not the first time the Ronald McDonald House has held its main fundraiser for the year at a sports complex. Last year, they were across the street at Hockeytown. Higginson, however, has become the most involved athlete in his three-year association.
That's not new for Higginson, a regular nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award for giving back to the community. He established the Bobby Higginson Foundation early in his career to donate to children's and women's charities in Detroit and his hometown of Philadelphia.
Higginson, a longtime vocal figure on Detroit's baseball scene, generally avoids discussing his charity work with the media. However, his foundation has contributed well over $200,000. That is expected to include about $50,000 this year based on his statistics. He gives a certain amount based on his home run and RBI totals, a donation level that has increased the last couple years.
Higginson visited the Ronald McDonald House last year for their holiday party.
As for Higginson's future with the Tigers, both he and his agent have reiterated his desire to stay with the club and play out the final three years of his contract under Trammell and bench coach Kirk Gibson. To that end, he would not waive his no-trade clause to accommodate a trade.
"He has a renewed sense of optimism from the hiring of Trammell," agent Ed Hayes said, "and that players will be taught to play the game the right way."
That marks a change from this season, when he said he would welcome a deal to a contending ballclub. Such a deal never got past the rumor stage. Those rumors resurfaced this week with a newspaper report that the Tigers and Rockies resumed discussions regarding Colorado left-hander Denny Neagle. But like Higginson, Neagle has a no-trade clause, which he declined to waive in previous trade talks.
Higginson is expected to be part of the Ronald McDonald House's grand re-opening Nov. 20 to show off the House's redesigned rooms. Local designers adopted all of the 25 rooms, giving each one an individual look, and turning one living room into a home theater.
The Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families with children undergoing treatment at the nearby Children's Hospital of Michigan. Over 1,000 families use the House each year, none of them turned away for lack of money. For more information or to donate, call 313-745-5909 or visit www.rmhdet.org.
Outfielder honored by Ronald McDonald House
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
DETROIT -- With a new coaching regime in place, Bobby Higginson hopes to remain a fixture at Comerica Park. On Thursday, he returned to the ballpark for one of the charitable efforts that have helped make him a fixture in Detroit.
"I hope to be in Detroit for a long, long time," Higginson said, referring to remarks made last month that he hopes to remain a Tiger after the hiring of Alan Trammell as manager. "And I hope to be part of the Ronald McDonald House for a long time."
Higginson served as the guest of honor Thursday night for a fundraising dinner and auction to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. The evening was the latest step in Higginson's continuing efforts to give back to his adopted city.
A crowd in the neighborhood of 200 people paid for an evening of food and entertainment at Comerica Park's Tiger Club, raising close to $40,000. Executive director Jennifer Litomisky said they usually gather about five percent of their budget from the annual event.
It's not the first time the Ronald McDonald House has held its main fundraiser for the year at a sports complex. Last year, they were across the street at Hockeytown. Higginson, however, has become the most involved athlete in his three-year association.
That's not new for Higginson, a regular nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award for giving back to the community. He established the Bobby Higginson Foundation early in his career to donate to children's and women's charities in Detroit and his hometown of Philadelphia.
Higginson, a longtime vocal figure on Detroit's baseball scene, generally avoids discussing his charity work with the media. However, his foundation has contributed well over $200,000. That is expected to include about $50,000 this year based on his statistics. He gives a certain amount based on his home run and RBI totals, a donation level that has increased the last couple years.
Higginson visited the Ronald McDonald House last year for their holiday party.
As for Higginson's future with the Tigers, both he and his agent have reiterated his desire to stay with the club and play out the final three years of his contract under Trammell and bench coach Kirk Gibson. To that end, he would not waive his no-trade clause to accommodate a trade.
"He has a renewed sense of optimism from the hiring of Trammell," agent Ed Hayes said, "and that players will be taught to play the game the right way."
That marks a change from this season, when he said he would welcome a deal to a contending ballclub. Such a deal never got past the rumor stage. Those rumors resurfaced this week with a newspaper report that the Tigers and Rockies resumed discussions regarding Colorado left-hander Denny Neagle. But like Higginson, Neagle has a no-trade clause, which he declined to waive in previous trade talks.
Higginson is expected to be part of the Ronald McDonald House's grand re-opening Nov. 20 to show off the House's redesigned rooms. Local designers adopted all of the 25 rooms, giving each one an individual look, and turning one living room into a home theater.
The Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families with children undergoing treatment at the nearby Children's Hospital of Michigan. Over 1,000 families use the House each year, none of them turned away for lack of money. For more information or to donate, call 313-745-5909 or visit www.rmhdet.org.