Dodgers Legend Wins Prestigious Award

Los Angeles Dodgers play-by-play broadcast announcer Joe Davis sits with former players Fernando Valenzuela, Kirk Gibson, Orel Hershiser and Manny Mota as they listen as Dusty Baker is inducted into the Dodgers Hall of Legends prior to the game against the the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 9, 2024. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The MLB Players Alumni Association chose Dodgers legend Kirk Gibson as the third winner of the Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award on Monday.

Gibson, 68, follows Baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson and longtime major league coach and manager Rene Lachemann as the only winners of the prestigious award.

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According to the MLBPAA, the annual award honors the legacy of Fred Valentine, "who embodied integrity, service in the community, and passion towards serving others."

Valentine, an outfielder who played parts of seven seasons in the majors, was among the founders of the MLBPAA in 1982. His eponymous award recognizes "an Alumni member who carries those same values forward."

The MLBPAA is proud to announce Kirk Gibson as the recipient of our third annual Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award.

This award honors the legacy of Fred Valentine, a founding member of the MLBPAA who embodied integrity, service in the community, and passion towards… pic.twitter.com/AndqHmOTGW

— MLBPAA (@MLBPAA) June 23, 2025

"Through Kirk’s impact in the community and the creation of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, we are proud to celebrate him on Wednesday, June 25th, during our Alumni Day at Comerica Park!" the MLBPAA announced on Twitter/X.

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Gibson's walk-off home in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series is a signature moment in franchise history, and ultimately paved the way to the Dodgers' upset victory over the favored Oakland Athletics.

Gibson spent three memorable years in Los Angeles (1988-90). After signing as a free agent in January 1988, he captured the National League MVP award in his first season as a Dodger, before delivering his postseason heroics.

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"Kirk Gibson has raised enormous amounts of money for Parkinson's Disease with his Foundation and it will keep raising money into the future," said Tim Leary, among Gibson's teammates on the 1988 team, in a statement relayed by the MLBPAA. "This assists people that now have Parkinson's and is working for a cure. Tremendous leadership!"

Kirk Gibson is @MLBPAA’s third Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award winner after Brooks Robinson and Rene Lachemann. His work through @KirkGibsonFdn, battle with Parkinson’s and leadership on and off the field were cited by his Dodgers teammate Tim Leary. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/b6dLAXuRUN

— Rachel Hopmayer (@rachelhopmayer) June 23, 2025

Helena Valentine, Fred Valentine's widow, wrote a letter to Gibson relayed by the MLBPAA.

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"Like my late husband Fred, you have used the platform that baseball has provided to give back to the community in meaningful ways," Helena Valentine wrote. "Your actions serve as an example to us all, showing how we can use our talents and notoriety to bless others.

"We are deeply grateful for individuals like you, Mr. Gibson, who dedicate themselves to making a difference in the lives of others. We offer our continued prayers for blessings upon you, your wife JoAnn, your family, and fans as you continue your important work. Your tireless efforts to raise money and awareness for Parkinson's Disease are truly inspiring. Your dedication to this cause demonstrates remarkable strength and compassion."

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