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Dirk takes over the diamond: Nowitzki lends name to decade-long charity event
BY Kieran Steckley, Special to the Star Courier
FRISCO -- Everyone around the Metroplex knows Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki for his contributions on the basketball court. For years, fans have seen him led the Mavericks to successful seasons and, finally, that elusive NBA Championship in 2011.
On Saturday, fans were given a chance to see two other sides of the 14-year NBA veteran: that of a baseball player and that of his charity work. Thankfully, Nowitzki is more skilled at the latter.
After former Dallas Star Mike Modano hosted the annual Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game for 10 years, Nowitzki agreed to take over headlining the event.
The celebrity baseball game was the idea of Heroes Foundation founder Charlie McKinney, Modano and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. The idea was to give exposure to and help support the Heroes Foundation, which was founded to better help the lives of underprivileged youth in the Dallas area.
"It's amazing that we are sitting here 11 years later and seeing some of the things we have done," McKinney said.
In addition to raising almost $3 million for their cause, the foundation has built renowned baseball and basketball facilities in Dallas solely for the benefit of underprivileged youth.
While he no longer has his name on the event, Modano's contributions to Heroes cannot be overstated.
"This does not happen without Mike Modano lending his name for 10 years," McKinney said. "We are now honored that Dirk is lending his name, hopefully for the next 10 years."
One of the reasons Dirk was willing to put his name on this event is that his personal charity, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, is also focused on making a difference the lives of children.
"I think Charlie and Mike have done a great job of establishing this game over the past decade," Nowitzki said. "It's a pleasure and I'm excited."
One of the biggest contributions Nowitzki made was recruiting the man who would have everyone's attention, both fans and media alike. He got NBA Hall of Famer and noted TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley to commit last minute.
"Dirk called me and I am here because of him," Barkley said. "[I] get 100 requests a week to do things, but I pick the ones of the people I like."
Barkley had been planning on taking a trip to England to attend Wimbledon, initially using that as the reason he was hesitant to participate. Upon learning that Nowitzki was making the same trip, Barkley decided to play in the game.
"I'm excited to be here and everybody has been fantastic," Barkley said.
When asked how much he was looking forward to playing in the game, Barkley gave a response one might expect from one of the most outspoken, yet popular, people in sports.
"I won't know if I'm looking forward to it until after it's over," he said. "Hopefully I do not pull anything."
If Saturday was any indication, fans should expect Barkley and other celebrities to continue to participate as the event gets bigger.
"Hopefully we can do this thing for the next couple of years," Nowitzki said.
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