Former Major League Baseball player Elvis Andrus been named the 2024 Keeper of The Game Award winner, the foundation announced Jan. 7 at its annual RP11 Strikes and Scholarships bowling event at Main Event in Frisco, Texas. Andrus, who played shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox, has been a longtime supporter of Keeper of The Game.
The Keeper of The Game Award, which was established in 2012, recognizes individuals or families in and around baseball who do exceptional work serving the special needs community and embody the spirit of servant leadership. It is given in conjunction with the Mike Coolbaugh Diamond Dreams Foundation.
Andrus joins Kyle Wilson, the Ramirez Family (Carlos, Toni, Anthony and Jean), Jason Jennings, Ray Birmingham, Billy Viars, Jose Trevino, Scott Coolbaugh, Sharon Hill Pyburn, Tony Fernandez, Tracy Metten, Jamey Newberg and Chris and Jill Davis as winners of the prestigious award.
“Winning the Keeper of The Game Award is a very big honor for me and my family,” Andrus said. “It means a lot. Even in retirement, I am trying to keep serving the community and people in need. What Keeper of The Game does to help kids with special needs is a blessing and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Andrus, who is a native of Maracay, Venezuela, played for Keeper of The Game Founder James Vilade as a member of the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders, in 2008. When Vilade started Keeper of The Game in 2014, he was looking for a professional baseball player to help spread the word about the foundation. Andrus was the first to player volunteer.
Andrus was seen on TV and in pictures wearing Keeper of The Game T-shirts and beanies. He would gladly do social media videos talking about why you should be a supporter of the foundation. Andrus signed numerous autographs for the foundation to use for auctions and raffles because he knew it would go toward helping kids with special needs and disabilities in baseball.
Andrus also told many teammates and opponents about Keeper of The Game and handed out gear to them. Because of him, the Keeper of The Game logo was a staple around major league ballparks.
Outside of Keeper, Andrus has been involved in numerous other charities such as Special Olympics, Special Olympics Texas, Miracle League and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. He created Elvis’ Entourage, which provides MLB tickets for special needs children and their families.
“Since his arrival to the Texas Rangers organization, Elvis has been a leader in the special needs community,” Vilade said. “From Keeper of The Game to Special Olympics, Elvis has shown a big heart to serve those who need us most. He has shared the great game of baseball in so many ways. This award is confirmation that his MLB career and beyond has always been about others. Elvis is truly a Keeper of The Game.”
Andrus shined just as bright on the field as he did off of it. A fan favorite, the Andrus holds the Texas Rangers record for stolen bases and ranks top 3 in games played, hits, triples and runs. He made two All-Star teams and won two American League Championships. He played 15 years in the big leagues – 12 with the Rangers and a combined three with the A’s and White Sox.
Keeper of The Game Award All-Time Winners
2024 Elvis Andrus
2023 Kyle Wilson
2022 Carlos, Toni, Anthony and Jean Ramirez
2021 Jason Jennings
2020 Ray Birmingham
2019 Billy Viars
2018 Jose Trevino
2017 Scott Coolbaugh
2016 Sharon Hill Pyburn
2015 Tony Fernandez
2014 Tracy Metten
2013 Jamey Newberg
2012 Chris and Jill Davis
The Banisters are Keepers!