Hall of Fame Military Classic

Jeremy Affeldt pitched 14 seasons for the Royals, Rockies, Reds and Giants, earning three World Series rings in San Francisco. His father, David Affeldt, was a member of the U.S. Air Force.

Nick Ahmed, who spent the bulk of his 12-year career in Arizona, was a two-time Gold Glove Award winner at second base. He is the grandson of two Army veterans, and his father-in-law served in the Coast Guard.

Wade Boggs, a 2005 Hall of Fame inductee and five-time batting champion, is the son of a former United States Marine.

A dominant closer and longtime Classic participant, Rollie Fingers – a 1992 Hall of Fame inductee – was an Army Reservist.

Jonny Gomes played for seven clubs over his 13-year career and won the 2013 World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He serves on the board of directors for Troops Direct, a military support charity.

Danny Graves was the first major league player born in Vietnam, where his father was stationed in 1973 while serving in the Army. The two-time All-Star who pitched for the Indians, Reds and Mets is still the Cincinnati franchise saves leader.

Before debuting for the Cardinals in 2015, Mitch Harris was a standout pitcher at the U.S. Naval Academy. He attained the rank of Lieutenant while serving on active duty for five years, including deployments aboard the USS Ponce and USS Carr.

When he returned to baseball and reached the major leagues, he became the first graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy to appear in a game in nearly a century.

Todd Helton, the grandson of a military veteran, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Edwin Jackson pitched for 14 clubs over 17 seasons, earning an All-Star nod with Detroit in 2009 and winning the 2011 World Series as a member of the St. Louis staff. He was named to the roster for the U.S. National Team that won silver at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

He was born in Neu-Ulm, Germany while his father, Edwin Jackson Sr., was serving in the United States Army there, and his wife Erika is an Air Force veteran.

Fergie Jenkins, a Class of 1991 inductee, participated in the first Hall of Fame Classic in 2009 and most recently appeared as part of the East-West Classic in 2024. His wife served in the military.

In addition to representing the U.S. Junior National Team that took bronze in the 2002 World Junior Baseball Championship, Ian Kennedy pitched for the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Padres, Royals, Rangers and Phillies over his 17-year career. His brother-in-law served in the Navy.

Tony La Russa, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 as a manager, has supported military causes through his foundation.

Jonathan Lucroy, a two-time All-Star who played for nine clubs over 12 seasons, worked to support military veterans throughout his career. He won a gold medal with Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Rick Monday was the first overall choice in the inaugural MLB Draft in 1965, culminating in a 19-year career with two All-Star appearances and the 1981 World Series title. But his greatest play came on April 25, 1976, when his rescue of the American flag at Dodger Stadium became a rallying point for the country.

Since rescuing the flag, Monday – a U.S. Marine Reservist – has actively employed it in fundraising efforts for veterans and their families. The flag Monday rescued will be on exhibit at the Hall of Fame from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

Overcoming hearing loss en route to an 11-year career in the big leagues, Curtis Pride now serves as the head coach of the Louisville Slugger Warriors. The competitive amputee baseball team consists of U.S. military veterans, active duty personnel, Wounded Warriors and current and former amputee college baseball players.

Josh Reddick played 13 seasons with the Red Sox, Athletics, Dodgers, Astros and Diamondbacks. The Gold Glove Award winner and World Series champion is the grandson of an Air Force veteran.

Zach Reks attended the United States Air Force Academy before embarking on his big league career. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 and Texas Rangers in 2022.

Scott Rolen, elected to the Hall of Fame in 2023, has a father and brother-in-law who served in the Navy.

Chris Rowley served 30 months of active duty with the United States Army, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant. He became the first West Point graduate to play in the major leagues when he debuted for the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 12, 2017.

Joe Torre is the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. A longtime manager and Class of 2014 inductee, Torre had an older brother, Rocco, who served in the Navy during World War II.

Todd Zeile suited up for 11 clubs over his 16-year career, including the 2001 Mets. Now the lead studio analyst for Mets coverage on SNY, Zeile is a longtime supporter of causes honoring Sept. 11 first responders and families. His grandfather served in the Air Force.

Brad Ziegler pitched 11 seasons for the Athletics, Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Marlins. A reliever for Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Ziegler founded Pastime for Patriots, a foundation that provides game tickets to military families.