New Balance announced the signing of All-Star second basemen and former League MVP, Dustin Pedroia, to a multi-year endorsement contract. New Balance will be Pedroia’s official footwear and off-field apparel provider and will partner with him to support their sponsorship of the Run to Home Base 9K to benefit “The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program.”
“I have always been a fan of New Balance shoes for their great fit and comfort,” says Pedroia. “They are the last company that still makes shoes in the United States and that really impressed me. It is also important to me to give back to the community, so I am excited to join New Balance and help support their sponsorship of the new Run to Home Base 9K.”
“Dustin is an athlete who works hard and consistently performs at the top of his game,” says Mark Cavanaugh, General Manager for Team Sports at New Balance. “His relentless drive on the field and his enthusiasm and passion for giving back to community off the field make him a great fit with our company. As a Boston-based company with a history of producing performance baseball product, we are thrilled to be able to watch our brand in action on the diamond in support of our home team.”
Pedroia will be wearing a special make-up of the New Balance 1101 baseball spike, including a version in his signature camouflage colors. Dubbed a “running shoe on spikes,” the 1101 features high performance running technologies to eliminate spike pressure and give an athlete unparalleled comfort and fit on the diamond.
New Balance is Presenting Sponsor of the Run to Home Base, a 9K (5.6 mile) race on May 23, 2010, a first-ever fundraising run through Boston that ends with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of crossing “home base” (plate) at historic Fenway Park. The Run to Home Base 9K will honor active duty military and veterans and raise funds for the new “Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program.”
The Home Base Program is dedicated to improving the lives of servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq wars with combat-related stress disorders and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI.) Pedroia will participate in a public service announcement to drive participation in the run. More information is available at www.runtohomebase.org.
During the mid 1990s, New Balance featured an “Endorsed by No One” campaign that touted the fact that it didnt spend any money on athlete endorsements. Earlier in its history, basketball stars James Worthy and M.L. Carr endorsed the company.
The Pedroia endorsement follows the signing in January of Jenny Barringer to an endorsement contract. She holds the American record for the 3,000 meter steeplechase, the company noted.
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