Former MLB pitcher Jennings named 2021 Keeper of The Game Award winner

FRISCO, Texas – Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jason Jennings has been named the 2021 Keeper of The Game Award winner, the foundation announced on Feb. 4. Jennings, who played for the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers over nine seasons, is a long-time supporter of Keeper of The Game.

The Keeper of The Game Award 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. Jennings joins 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 this award is very special to me,” Jennings said. “From having a child of my own on the spectrum, to teaming up with the Rockies to build a special needs field early in my playing career and being a part of Keeper of The Game from its inception, giving back to our special needs friends has always held a place in my heart.”

Jennings was formally presented his award at Keeper of The Game’s RP11 Strikes and Scholarships event in January.

“Throughout his career, Jason Jennings has established himself as a community leader,” Keeper of The Game Founder James Vilade said. “His care for others, selfless actions and dedication to the special needs community has not only changed lives but inspired a movement in the Colorado area and his home state of Texas.”

Jennings, who is a native of Mesquite and played college baseball at Baylor University, has been a national advocate for Keeper of The Game since it was established in 2014. He has been a key figure in the success of the “Strike Out Hunger” food drive, which has resulted in countless items collected for Frisco-area families in need during the holidays. His family’s baseball facility, Pastime Training Center, always serves as a donation sight for the campaign. He has also appeared at numerous Keeper of The Game events, including skills clinics and movie nights.

“Keeper of the Game is essential to our local community and also our baseball community,” Jennings said. “I played with many top-notch men who know how fortunate we were to play a game for a living and always looked for opportunities to share that feeling with members of our community who may otherwise never experience it. Seeing the joy Keeper of The Game has brought to so many families in such a short time gives me more satisfaction than any on field accomplishment ever could. I’m beyond proud to be a part of it.” 

During his time in Colorado, where he won the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year Award and left as the franchise’s all-time wins leader, he and the Rockies teamed up to build an all-turf field that features flat bases so that it is adaptive to all disabled kids. The Mile High Adaptive Field in Littleton, Colo., was completed in 2005 – the first of its kind in Colorado – and still is being used today by more than 200 special needs athletes each year. He also made routine visits to children in Denver-area hospitals and participated in multiple local food drives.

Jennings is also involved with The Miracle League, Michael Young Foundation and MLB’s Baseball Assistance Team campaign for teamwork, caring and sharing. He was in the founding group of the MLB Action Team, a national youth volunteer program.

“Jason has shown us all what it means to be a servant leader,” Vilade said. “His passion for those in need shined during his time with the Colorado Rockies and it is still going strong today. We are thankful to have his support. He is a true Keeper of The Game.”

On the field, the right-hander won 62 games during his MLB career. He tossed a shutout and hit a home run in his MLB debut, becoming the first player to accomplish that feat. During his 2002 ROY campaign, he went 16-8 on the mound and hit .306 at the plate. As a junior at Baylor, he won the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy, both bestowed to the country’s best collegiate baseball player.

Keeper of The Game Award All-Time Winners

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