FS San Diego Padres play-by-play man DICK ENBERG yesterday was named the '15 winner of the Ford C. Frick Award by the Baseball HOF and "will be inducted into the broadcasters’ wing on July 25 in Cooperstown." Enberg "was selected from a group of 10 finalists." The HOF "annually presents the Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting." Enberg "joins the late JERRY COLEMAN as Padres broadcasters to receive the honor." Enberg "was hired by the Padres five years ago" as play-by-play man, and for now, he "plans to continue in that role" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 12/11). Meanwhile, longtime Dodgers scout MIKE BRITO yesterday was recognized as MLB's Int'l Scout of the Year (LATIMES.com, 12/10).
TOUGH TO SAY GOODBYE: Braves RF NICK MARKAKIS took out a two-page advertisement in yesterday's Baltimore Sun to "thank fans, the city and the organization" for his nine seasons with the Orioles. Markakis signed a free-agent deal with the Braves last week. The ad "includes a large 'Thank You,' on one side and an open letter to Orioles fans from Markakis on the other, which begins with, 'This isn’t a goodbye.'” The letter is "signed by Markakis, his wife, CHRISTINA, and their three sons." Within the text, Markakis writes "the family has every intention of continuing to live in northern Baltimore County and maintaining their extensive charitable endeavors" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 12/10).
NAMES: The U.S. Postal Service's stamp with the likeness of Basketball HOFer WILT CHAMBERLAIN is “so long (just over 2 inches) that maybe it’s not fitting on your envelope” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/11)….Int'l Tennis HOFer ANDRE AGASSI’s Turner-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund “has bought a 41,128-square-foot office building off Murfreesboro Pike” in Nashville for $1.5M “with plans to lease it to a charter school operator” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 12/11)....The Tim Tebow Foundation “is celebrating its five year anniversary this February with its nationwide ‘Night to Shine’ prom for teenagers and young adults with special needs.” The event “will take place on Feb. 13 in more than 50 different cities across the country” (JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/5 issue)….Eagles RB DARREN SPROLES and his wife, MICHEL, sold their home in San Diego for $2.625M and a townhouse in Metairie, La., for $564,000 (L.A. TIMES, 12/11).
