Locke Lord’s Jeff Love to Present Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity Lou Gehrig Memorial Award to Houston Astros’ José Altuve

September 18, 2017 – Jeff B. Love, Chairman of Locke Lord’s Houston office and well-known Houston philanthropist, will present the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity Lou Gehrig Memorial Award to Houston Astros second baseman José Altuve during the Sept. 19 home game versus the Chicago White Sox. Love will present the award with members of the Fraternity and his son, Benton Love, which represents the first time a Phi Delta Theta father and son combination will present the award in its 61-year history.

Each year, Phi Delta Theta presents the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who best exemplifies the spirit and character of Gehrig. Gehrig was a distinguished member of Phi Delta Theta’s New York Delta Chapter at Columbia University and a man of integrity. The award was created to acknowledge an individual player’s outstanding commitment to both his community and philanthropy. It was first presented in 1955 and is permanently maintained at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

Altuve received more awards and accolades than any other player in baseball in 2016, is currently leading the Majors in hitting and is a five-time All Star. Last year, he was named the Sporting News Player of the Year, the MLBPA Major League Player of the Year, AL Most Outstanding Player and won his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award. Altuve also participates in the Astros fan outreach and community charitable efforts, including hospital visits, baseball and softball clinics, and participating in the Astros Foundation’s cornerstone charitable events. In December, Altuve joined former Astros outfielder José Cruz and several other MLB players in the “Peloteros por Puerto Rico” (Players for Puerto Rico) tour, which was organized by MLB and the MLB Players Association. The tour, which honored the legend and life of Roberto Clemente, included several youth clinics in multiple cities.

“José’s many exemplary attributes both on and off the field make him a very worthy recipient of an award that honors a man of character and humility, as well as one of baseball’s greatest players,” said Love. “I’m exceedingly grateful to have the opportunity to present José with this year’s Phi Delta Theta Lou Gehrig Award, alongside my son and Phi Delt brothers.”

Love has demonstrated a lifelong dedication and commitment to Phi Delta Theta and, in 2014, was honored with the national Legion of Merit Award. The award is the highest international honor conferred each year on an individual among the 175,000 living members of Phi Delta Theta. In 2009, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award of Phi Delta Theta. He joined the Foundation Board of Trustees in January 2010. Love was initiated into Phi Delta Theta by the Tennessee Alpha Chapter at Vanderbilt University on April 2, 1968. There he earned a bachelor’s degree, broke three all-time Vanderbilt University baseball hitting records and was an Academic All-American.

Love is also well respected for his service to various other humanitarian and community organizations, including the Boards of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann Healthcare Foundation, Greater Houston Partnership, Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation (of which he was a past Chairman), University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center and The Mental Health Association of Greater Houston. He is a National Trustee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

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