09/12/2005 3:06 PM ET Fans select six Man of Year finalists Jeter, Sweeney, Zito, Jones, Pujols and Helton are up for award MLBPLAYERS.com

In the AL, Derek Jeter was chosen over runnerup Tim Wakefield in the East. (Ben Margot/AP)

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Players will select the winner in balloting at Major League ballparks across the country Tuesday and Wednesday of this week as part of their annual Players Choice Awards balloting. The balloting will be conducted by the accounting firm KPMG.

The Marvin Miller Award, named in honor of the MLBPA's first executive director, is given to the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement. Jim Thome won the Marvin Miller Award in 2004.

In addition to the Marvin Miller Award, players will choose the overall outstanding player in Major League Baseball, as well as the outstanding players, pitchers, rookies and comeback players in each league.

Each Players Choice Award winner will designate the charity of his choice to receive a grant from the Major League Baseball Players Trust. The Players Choice Award winners will be announced after the season.

Thousands of fans took part in the online balloting on MLBPLAYERS.com, MLB.com and the club sites from Sept. 5-11 to choose the six finalists.

The closest balloting took place in the National League West, where Helton edged Mike Matheny of the Giants by fewer than 400 votes. The next closest race was in the NL Central where Pujols topped Andy Pettitte of the Astros by fewer than 3,000 votes. Jones was the fans' choice in the East, selecting him over former teammate Tom Glavine, who now pitches for the Mets.

In the American League, Jeter was chosen over runnerup Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox in the East, Sweeney over C.C. Sabathia of the Indians in the Central, and Zito over Michael Young of the Rangers in the West.

The following are overviews of the winners' community involvement activities:

Derek Jeter, AL East: Created by Derek in his rookie season, the Turn 2 Foundation encourages children to adopt healthy lifestyles as well as focus on academics and leadership development. Since 1996, Turn 2 has awarded more than $5 million in grants to fund scholarships, camps, after-school programs and substance abuse treatment and prevention initiatives. The funds to support all programs and activities are generated by Derek's personal donations and annual fundraisers, including golf tournaments and dinners.

Mike Sweeney, AL Central: Kansas City has benefited tremendously from Mike's dedication to children via his involvement with Children's Mercy Hospital and local chapters of the Boys & Girls Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Youth Front. As spokesman for Enjoy the Game, Mike actively promotes teamwork and good sportsmanship. Mike also hosts area charity and non-profit groups at Royals games through his "Sween Team."

Barry Zito, AL West: This season, Barry Zito founded "Strikeouts For Troops^TM," a national program that has raised tens of thousands of dollars designed to provide "comforts of home" to the wounded heroes of our armed forces and help their families visit them in the hospital. Barry contributes $100 for each strikeout he records and he has recruited many of his fellow Major League Baseball players to participate in the program. He also supports Organ Donation, Juvenile Diabetes, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics and he has danced in Oakland Ballet's "Nutcracker" to benefit the arts.

Andruw Jones, NL East: As honorary director of Jaden's Ladder, Andruw donates time and money to survivors of domestic violence. He takes part in numerous team service efforts, including the Braves Foundation Turkey Drop, the team's Christmas in July hospital and nursing home visits, and the Atlanta Braves Dreams Come True program. Andruw's native Curacao also benefits from his generosity: He fully sponsors the island's Little League team.

Albert Pujols, NL Central: As spokesman for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, Albert dedicates much of his time to working with Down Syndrome patients. He also serves as chairman of the Buddy Walk Fund Raiser and the St. Louis Down Syndrome Association Golf Benefit. In addition, Albert and his wife regularly deliver teddy bears to children at Cardinal Glennon Hospital.

Todd Helton, NL West: Todd lends his support to organizations in both Colorado -- where he currently resides -- and Tennessee, where he grew up. In Knoxville, Todd hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for the children's hospital. Todd also makes regular visits to the children's hospital in Denver and is involved in the Care and Share Program, which donates equipment to sick kids.

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