Round Rock Express Bring Home Major Awards from Winter Meetings

Team Named John Henry Moss Community Service Recipients, Bob Freitas Triple-A Organization of the Year

December 7, 2016

National Harbor, Maryland - The Round Rock Express are looking to clear space in the trophy cabinet at Dell Diamond. The organization was named recipients of the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, the Bob Freitas Triple-A Organization of the Year and team President Chris Almendarez was awarded the Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year at the Baseball Winter Meetings Awards Banquet and Luncheon Sunday and Monday.

"I am so proud of what our staff in Round Rock has achieved this season," said Express CEO Reese Ryan. "It was a really difficult year not only for Chris, but the entire organization as we are one team, one family. I could not be more honored to be associated with a group that created such a positive, lasting impact on our community in the face of tragedy."

The John Henry Moss Award is given to a Minor League Baseball franchise for their ongoing commitment to charitable service and their support and leadership within the community and baseball industry. The Express were the Pacific Coast League nominee the past two years, taking home the national honors this year. The Bob Freitas Organization of the Year Award is given to one club in each Minor League classification in recognition of long-term business success.

In 2016, the Express rallied around Almendarez and his wife Jana as she battled a Stage IV glioblastoma. Throughout the season, the team participated in numerous cancer awareness causes and raised thousands of dollars in support of her battle. In addition to that, the Express raised over $600,000 through in-stadium auctions and raffles and donated over 1,000 hours to charitable efforts. This is the first time the organization has been recognized with the John Henry Moss Award. They were named the Bob Freitas Double-A Organization of the Year in 2004.

Almendarez was named the Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year after leading the Express to their best attendance since 2009 while also supporting his family during Jana's battle. Round Rock welcomed over 613,000 fans to Dell Diamond, the most in the league, including four of the top 10 highest attendances in franchise history. The team's average 8,637 fans was not only most in the PCL, but fifth highest in all of Minor League Baseball. Almendarez is the third Express executive to earn this honor following Jay Miller (2010) and Dave Fendrick (2014).

The Express open the 2017 season on Thursday, April 6 with a five-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Oakland Athletics affiliate) at Dell Diamond. Season tickets and flex plans are on sale now.

For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!