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Release

Washington, D.C. – The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation proudly announces Rollie Fingers, formerly of the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and Milwaukee Brewers, and Mike Yastrzemski of the Kansas City Royals, as this year’s baseball honorees for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards.
 

Mr. Fingers and Mr. Yastrzemski will be joined by Navy and Marine Corps recipients and honored during the 13th Annual Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards Ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
 

The awards honor 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. The honorees selected possess the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed.
 

This year’s program recognizes recipients from the military and Major League Baseball in six categories. In addition, the ceremony will recognize one accomplished intern of the Bob Feller Internship Program with the 2025 Fellowship Award.
 

2025 BFAOV Award Recipients

1. National Baseball Hall of Fame Award
   Rollie Fingers, National BBHOF Inductee 1992

2. Major League Baseball Award
   Mike Yastrzemski, Outfielder, Kansas City Royals

3. United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Award
   GSMC Ollie E. Dunlap IV, USN

4. United States Marine Corps Jerry Coleman Award
   Gunnery Sergeant Paul A. Luna, USMC

5. Morale, Welfare, Recreation Award
   USS DECATUR (DDG 73) Volunteer Committee

6. Bob Feller Act of Valor Patriot Award
   Rick Monday, 19-year MLB veteran with KC/Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, and a United States Marine Corps Veteran

7. Bob Feller Fellowship Award
   Caitlin Omey, a Fordham University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religious Studies. Caitlin commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and Naval Flight Officer in May 2025.
    

National Baseball Hall of Fame Award Honoree – Rollie Fingers

Rollie Fingers had quite possibly the most famous flamboyant handlebar mustache in baseball history. But fans didn’t come to the ballpark to see just that. They came to see him close out games with his sinking fastball night after night!
 

Rollie was born in Ohio but moved to California when he was young. His father, George, a steel worker, also played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and roomed with Stan Musial but never made it to the major leagues.
 

Rollie attended Upland High School near Upland, California, and excelled both as a pitcher and outfielder. After graduating in 1964, he pitched for his American Legion team, the Upland Post 73. They would go on to win the World Series and he earned the Player of the Year Award by pitching a two-hit 3-1 victory in the championship game against Charlotte Post 9. He batted .450 during the series and finished the regular season with an impressive 11-2 record with 102 strikeouts and a 0.67 ERA.
 

In 1964, Fingers turned down a larger signing bonus from the Los Angeles Dodgers due to their strong pitching staff and signed for the Kansas City Athletics. The Athletics relocated to Oakland in 1968 when Rollie made his debut. That same year he decided to follow his family’s tradition of military service and joined the U.S. Army Reserves and served for 6 years. His father had served in WWII and his brother, Gordon, served during the Vietnam War.
 

While with the Athletics, he led the league in games pitched twice and finished in the top ten in league saves seven times. Oakland went on to win three World Series titles from 1972 to 1974 and Rollie was the World Series Most Valuable Player in 1974. That same year he was honorably discharged from the Army.
 

In 1977, he signed with the San Diego Padres and led the league in saves the first two seasons and tied the National League record with 37 saves in 1978. Fingers was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1981 and played for four for them before his retirement in 1985.
 

Over his illustrious baseball career, Rollie Fingers was a three-time World Series Champion, a seven-time All-Star, a three-time MLB Saves Leader, and captured both the American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award in 1981. He was also a four-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner in 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1981. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
 

Major League Baseball Award Honoree – Mike Yastrzemski

Throughout his career, San Francisco Giants/Kansas City Royals outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (Yaz) has been a strong advocate and supporter for our military Veterans and mental health awareness.
 

In 2022, Yaz started the Mustache May campaign to lighten the mood for himself and his teammates while going through a rough patch on the field. Mustache May recognizes the mental struggles associated with the baseball profession and brings awareness to the resources available to players and fans alike.
 

With a personal connection to the military and Veterans and the increased need for mental health services for these groups, Yaz’s goal for Mustache May is to promote and prioritize mental health in active duty, Veteran, and civilian communities and create a world where mental health is discussed openly and freely.
 

Proceeds from Yastrzemski’s Mustache May merchandise supports the Heart and Armor Foundation, which aims to protect the health of Veterans and connect civilians to the experience of military service, specifically with their research and programs around mental wellness.
 

Yaz routinely hosts Veterans and their families from Heart & Armor and other Veteran organizations at the ballpark, building personal relationships during meet-and-greets and dynamic conversations around mental health. Early in the 2025 season, Yaz hosted a 102-year-old WWII Veteran and TikTok influencer “Papa Jake” Larson, who threw out the First Pitch at Oracle Park.
 

During Mustache May, Yaz and the Giants hosted a military care package assembly event, putting together 300 care packages to send to troops overseas. May is only one month, but Yastrzemski’s efforts never end, as he continues to be a leader on and off the field, continues to recognize the struggles that many people (including professional players) go through, and constantly reminds everyone:
 

“It’s important to check in and care for your homies!”
 

Military Award Honorees
 

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Award – GSMC Ollie E. Dunlap IV, USN

Chief Dunlap is an astute, mission-driven leader whose actions directly enhance the cohesion and effectiveness of a workforce of more than 3,000 military and civilian personnel. His passion for community outreach and youth development reflects the essence of Bob Feller. His contributions are a bridge between the Navy and the public, inspiring both pride and purpose.
 

In his community, his outreach with Norfolk Public Schools and community food distribution yields immeasurable results. For instance, he instructed Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities to 250 youth at the 9th annual Hampton STEM Symposium and college fair. Helping the hungry, he volunteered countless hours to deliver over 20,000 Thanksgiving meals to those in need.
 

Through his naval service, Chief Dunlap mentors over 56 Sailors in gas turbine generator replacements aboard American warships. His team saved over $417,000 in contractor-maintenance costs by performing vital repair work inside the Navy. Perhaps more importantly, he mentors and invests in Sailors’ development. As a duty section leader, his investment with junior Sailors results in a healthy culture of learning and inspiration. Chief Dunlap is a driven leader who is most deserving of this prestigious Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation Award for 2025.
 

Jerry Coleman Award – Gunnery Sergeant Paul A. Luna, USMC

Gunnery Sergeant Luna is an exceptional leader, mentor, and example to the Marines in his charge and the community that he serves.
 

During a demanding training and exercise schedule, Gunnery Sergeant Luna led company operations and missions while deployed forward. Specifically, during an independent two-month Marine deployment to the Philippines, over 1,000 miles from higher headquarters, he was the fulcrum with which the company’s operations succeeded. His dogged determination and tenacious spirit produced incredible results in the most inhospitable training environment. His performance and motivational spirit were truly exceptional, earning him the complete trust and confidence of the command—and more importantly, the Marines he leads. His personal example and grit helped set the tone for the entire battalion and 2,500-strong Marine Task Force.
 

Gunnery Sergeant Luna’s selfless acts of volunteer service to the local community go well beyond the standard expectation of a Marine. He is an exceptional ambassador for the Corps, volunteering free time to develop America’s youth. His qualities of toughness, discipline, commitment, and courage are values he instills in the next generation. Our country is undoubtedly better for having men like him to carry these qualities of civic virtue forward.
 

U.S. Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Committee Award – USS DECATUR (DDG 73)

This unique award honors a group of junior Sailors that have excelled in encouraging others to embody the Navy's core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. They volunteer to promote the welfare of their shipmates while reducing destructive personal decision-making and behaviors.

The USS DECATUR Volunteer Committee leads by example, serving Sailors and inspiring them to a purpose greater than themselves. By providing tools for others to succeed, treating people with dignity and respect, and demonstrating the value of integrity in both words and actions, they elevate morale and foster a resilient environment onboard and within their community.
 

With just 55 Sailors serving 158 peers onboard, the committee led over 21 volunteer events, including game nights, ice cream socials, equipment on-loads for gym upgrades, and Hawaiian community outreach. Their NIMITZ Bike Path Clean Up alone removed 2,453 pounds of trash, improving safety for cyclists and neighbors.
 

They also supported Special Olympics Hawaii, contributing 112 service hours, and volunteered 581 hours across events such as Joint Base Pearl Harbor cleanups, Cure for AIDS, Sandy Beach Cleanup, Cure for Cancer, and local toy drives.
 

The Sailors’ dedication even extended to schools, participating in local elementary Fun Days to promote education and military service opportunities. Their work reflects the spirit of Bob Feller, inspiring future generations to serve with pride.
 

The Bob Feller Act of Valor Patriot Award

 

Rick Monday

The Patriot Award goes to a former MLB player who demonstrates the Foundation’s 4 Pillars of Service, Sacrifice, Citizenship and Legacy. The 2025 Patriot Award recipient, Rick Monday, is a United States Marine Corps Veteran. During his 19-year career with the Kansas City and Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, he was a two-time All-Star and member of the 1981 World Series Champion LA Dodgers. He was the first player drafted in the inaugural 1965 MLB draft.

 

Received national attention for a 1976 incident in which he prevented the American flag from being burned by protesters on the field at Dodger Stadium while playing outfield for the Cubs. Rick began his broadcasting career in 1985, joining the LA Dodgers broadcast team in 1993 where he continues to this day.

 

Rick follows AL Bumbry of the Baltimore Orioles, the 1973 Rookie of the year in the American League who was a Bronze Star recipient and served in Vietnam

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Building Future Leaders

This year’s ceremony will again recognize The Bob Feller Act of Valor Scholarship Program, created to provide tuition assistance to qualified students of military families, Veterans, service personnel, and accomplished interns of the Bob Feller Internship Program.
 

The Foundation will award five $2,000 scholarships based on academic excellence, community service, leadership, and participation in extracurricular activities.
 

About the Program

Previous National Baseball Hall of Fame recipients include Yogi Berra, Tommy Lasorda, George Brett, Rod Carew, Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench, Randy Johnson, Brooks Robinson, Joe Torre, Trevor Hoffman, Carlton Fisk and Pedro Martinez.

Previous Major League Baseball player recipients include Justin Verlander, Nick Swisher, Jonathan Lucroy, Brad Ziegler, Darren O’Day, Sean Doolittle, Ian Kennedy, Craig Stammen, Griffin Jax, Byron Buxton, Jon Gray, and Sean Reid-Foley.
 

Previous United States Navy Chief Petty Officer recipients include Senior Chief Petty Officer Garth Sinclair, Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson, Chief Petty Officer Genell Cody, Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher Beeding, Chief Petty Officer Edmundo Brantes, Chief Petty Officer Shawn M. Wingle, Senior Chief Petty Officer Jairo N. Guity, Chief Petty Officer Lacresha L. Dowdell, and Chief Personnel Specialist (Aviation Warfare) Terrell M. Culler, GMC Roberto P. Landeros III, USN.
 

Previous United States Navy Peer-to-Peer Mentorship recipients include: The USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), HOPPER Information Services Center, USS CONSTITUTION, Unmanned Patrol Squadron ONE NINE (VUP-19), U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE (NMCB-5), USS AMERICA (LHA-6), Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the CSADD, and the Junior Enlisted Association aboard USS TRIPOLI.
 

Previous United States Marine Corps honorees included: Staff Sergeant Rene Segura, First Sergeant Marshall Cleveland, Staff Sergeant Adam Plambeck, Gunnery Sergeant Johnathan S. Rose, Gunnery Sergeant Joseph S. White, Gunnery Sergeant Joshua A. MacMillan, Master Sergeant Herman A. Kruppa, and Gunnery Sergeant Terrence B. Showers, Gunnery Sergeant Austin J. Otto, USMC 

 

About the Foundation

Peter Fertig founded The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award with the support of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Major League Baseball, the Cleveland Guardians, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the gracious consent of the late Mrs. Anne Feller, the San Diego Padres, and the family of Jerry Coleman.

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