2025 Nominee

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto has been a consistent supporter of our nation’s military service personnel and their families.  Raised in a military family, Neto understands the value and sacrifice that our military service men and women make.  His father Joaquin served with the U.S. Navy, and he aspires to help and give back to the military community. 
 

Since his debut in April 2023, Neto has been involved in various philanthropies with the Angels Baseball Foundation.  His participation includes being a guest instructor at the Angels Play Ball Clinic to teach kids the fundamental of baseball, and a speaker at the Angels Adopt A School program to share his stories of being a good friend and teammate with students.  He has visited the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, where he met with the servicemen and toured the facility and tried out the Black Hawk Aircrew Trainer flight simulator program.  Most recently in May 2025, during Neto’s second visit to LA Fleet Week, Neto met with sailors and Marines in San Pedro to learn more about what a life of service looks like and toured the USS Harpers Ferry and USS Carl M. Levin. Each year, he makes it a point to visit the USO area at Fleet Week to meet with military personnel, thank them for their service, sign autographs and take photos, as well as play various games with them, leaving a lasting impression. 
 

Throughout the 2025 season, Zach will continue to represent the Angels when military members and their families visit Angel Stadium. During this year’s Memorial Day recognition at Angel Stadium, Zach met with families through TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) to provide them with moral support. Zach is also planning a bowling fundraiser during the 2025 season to support local U.S. Veteran services.
 

Zach’s determination to assist veterans, combined with his compassion and excitement for helping others, is an inspiration to everyone who meets him – especially those who serve our country.