Katy Feeney to Accept the Sally O’Leary Distinguished Women in Baseball Award
Few people in Major League Baseball are as impacted by the weather as Katy Feeney, but there are no rain-outs expected when she receives the Sally O’Leary Distinguished Women in Baseball Award as part of the Chuck Tanner Manager of the Year gala.
Currently enjoying her 27th season in professional baseball, she’s the MLB’s senior vice president of scheduling and club relations, meaning she’s responsible for juggling all those double-headers and long road trips. “No one is ever going to be happy,” she has said with a laugh. “If I can make everyone equally unhappy, I’ve done my job.”
Her role in club relations is a full one, too. Long days and weekends can be filled with everything from assisting managers and team members in the All-Star Game to working with the contending clubs in the post-season, and all the while there’s that crazy schedule that has to be adjusted with each inclement turn of the weather map. Feeney’s responsibilities in the MLB front office are arguably among the most detailed and difficult in professional baseball.
Feeney’s father, the late Charles “Chub” Feeney, was the well-loved GM of the New York (later San Francisco) Giants during the 1950s and 60s, and later he served as the president of the National League for 17 years. It was there, in the National League offices, that Katy got her start in baseball. Surprisingly, Katy thought she’d never work in sports.
Feeney’s first sports job was as the public relations secretary in the National League offices. She went in to help out temporarily for a couple of weeks, but when the offices moved to New York City, she was asked to stay.
Each year the Pittsburgh Rotary Club holds its Chuck Tanner Awards Banquet in Pittsburgh. The highlight of the event is the presentation of the Chuck Tanner MLB Manager of the Year Award, as selected by a distinguished group of baseball professionals from around the country. Previous winners of the Chuck Tanner MLB Manager of the Year award were Joe Torre, Joe Maddon, Ron Gardenhire, Jim Leyland Bob Melvin, Davey Johnson and Clint Hurdle. This year, the Manager of the Year is the Baltimore Orioles’ Buck Showalter.
The awards presentation will take place at a banquet on November 15, 2014 at the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh. The Master of Ceremonies will be Dan Zangrilli of 93.7-FM “The Fan,” and a live auction of sports memorabilia will be conducted throughout the gala event.
Mercyhurst coach Joe Spano will accept the College Coach of the Year Award, and former Pirates great Dick Groat also will be presented with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Erie native and nationally recognized celebrity sports artist Kevin-John is returning to create a special limited edition print of Dick Groat for everyone in attendance, and he will be present to personally sign his creation. Kevin-John is one of only 20 Disney master artists worldwide, and his artwork has been showcased on ESPN, Spike TV, NBC and at Super Bowl XXXIX, XL, XLI and the PGA Tour.
To purchase tickets to the banquet or to find out about other ways to support the event, visit www.chucktannerbanquet.com or call (412) 471-6210.
This charitable event and its silent auction of sports memorabilia and other items will be used to support Pittsburgh Rotary Club operations and its programs, including global humanitarian relief, such as polio inoculation and shoes for Nicaraguan children, as well as post-high school scholarships and an annual high school ethics symposium, which is attended annually by more than 400 students.
KeepScore Baseball/Softball Scorebooks is a contributor on the Chuck Tanner Banquet committee.
