MARCH 11, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YANKEES TO RECEIVE ALLAN H. SELIG AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPIC EXCELLENCE FROM MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN PREGAME CEREMONY TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, AT GEORGE M. STEINBRENNER FIELD
— —
TEAM TO KICK OFF 2026 INITIATIVE BY CELEBRATING SPRING HOPE WEEK HONOREE GENTLEMEN’S QUEST OF TAMPA, INC.
— —
2026 HOPE WEEK IN NEW YORK TO TAKE PLACE FROM MONDAY, JUNE 15, THROUGH FRIDAY, JUNE 19
Please click here to download all media assets, including a photo of MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. and Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner with the award.
The Yankees are proud to today announce that Major League Baseball has named the club the winner of the 2025 Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence in recognition of the longstanding impact of their HOPE Week initiative. It is the most prestigious team award for community outreach bestowed by MLB.
The Yankees will mark the occasion with a 6:15 p.m. pregame ceremony before tonight’s 6:35 p.m. game vs. Toronto. Media interested in attending should reach out to credentials@yankees.com.
Additionally during the ceremony, the Yankees will recognize their 2026 Spring HOPE Week honoree, Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa, Inc. (more details further below).
This year’s HOPE Week celebration in New York will take place from Mon., June 15, through Fri., June 19.
Established in 2009, HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel), takes place each summer on five consecutive days during a homestand. On each of the five days, the New York Yankees shine a spotlight on an inspiring individual, family or organization, surprising them with a day celebrating their accomplishments. Outreach typically takes place away from Yankee Stadium — at the locations where honorees provide service to the community. The celebration then culminates with honorees joining the team for batting practice and ceremonies at Yankee Stadium prior to that evening’s home game. This year marks the 17th edition of the program.
Of vital importance during HOPE Week is maximizing attention and publicity for the honorees. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness, and funding for their missions.
Additionally, this year’s event will mark the 13th year that the organization’s minor league teams will hold their own HOPE Weeks, allowing the initiative to touch the communities of our affiliates in the U.S. and Dominican Republic. Since the initiative was first introduced, nearly 500 total HOPE Week events have been held across the New York metropolitan area and in the cities of Yankees affiliates.
HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture. Fans can learn more about the initiative and nominate inspirational individuals for HOPE Week recognition by visiting the official website at www.hopeweek.com.
ABOUT THE 2026 SPRING HONOREE: GENTLEMEN’S QUEST OF TAMPA, INC.
To further demonstrate their commitment to the Tampa region, the Yankees will — for the 13th time — honor a local, Tampa-based group during spring training. This year’s spring honoree is Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa, Inc. (GQ), a non-profit dedicated to helping teens and young men realize their full potential as students and make positive choices regarding academics and behavior. Gentlemen’s Quest equips program participants with the skills necessary to become productive citizens after they graduate. To accomplish this mission, GQ hosts workshops that provide students with strategies to be successful in difficult situations. Students attend meetings that are structured and targeted. The academic and behavioral progress of the students is monitored regularly, and the participants’ intellectual, emotional, and relational capacity expands through experience.
Established as a club in 2014 at Chamberlain High School by Founder and current Executive Director Tavis Myrick, Gentlemen’s Quest has remained steadfast in its mission to equip its participants with the exposure, confidence, and leadership development to thrive in their communities. What began as a small mentoring group has evolved into a sustained movement. In 2025, the organization served approximately 850 young men with programs that included STEM Quest, a cross-curricular program that allows students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and engaging setting; the Job Readiness Program, which educates participants about various careers and money management; the Mother & Son Ball, a tradition celebrating the values of chivalry, etiquette, and the strength of family bonds; structured college tours to multiple universities; and various community service events. Additionally, GQ of Tampa awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships last year.
Among GQ of Tampa’s participants, 100% of the high school seniors in the program graduated on time and enrolled in college, trade school or the military. And 0% of the high school-age participants that were arrested at least once were rearrested.
To learn more about Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa, Inc., please visit their website at: https://gqtampa.com/.
TO COVER THE EVENT: All BBWAA cards, MLB universal spring credentials and Yankees daily spring credentials will be honored for this ceremony. All others should submit credential requests via the MLB credentialing website at credentials.mlb.com. Those unfamiliar with the process or those with questions about the ceremony may e-mail credentials@yankees.com or call (813) 673-3053.
MORE ABOUT HOPE WEEK
(Please also visit www.hopeweek.com)
At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has — no matter their background or financial situation — is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, Manager Aaron Boone, Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman, the front office staff and our minor league affiliates during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Yankees send the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place.
The Yankees encourage all their fans to get involved … Give HOPE!
—nyy—