Beyond Katrina: you name it, athletes are doing it to make the world a better place.(GOOD GUYS)

MLB: Barry Zito

After visiting hospitalized troops during a road trip, A's pitcher Barry Zito decided he needed to help them and their families during the recovery process. So he started Strikeouts For Troops, an amazing program that provides funds to assist family members of wounded soldiers with travel and housing expenses.

In less than two years, he has raised $187,775 through donations and his own contributions, and he now enlists the participation of other major league players. More than $100,000 has gone to cash grants for troops and their families, allowing relatives to reside long-term near the hospital during recovery. Other contributions have funded holiday dinners at military hospitals in the Washington, D.C., area, bought Christmas gifts for families of patients unable to afford them and helped build a hospital children's center where kids can stay while moms attended to dads' medical needs. Zito also invites wounded soldiers to games.

NFL: John Lynch

Through a variety of educational incentive plans and scholarships, John Lynch of the Broncos has devoted his years in the NFL to helping raise the quality of education and reward students in Tampa and now Denver.

His Star of the Month program honors athletic and academic achievement and community involvement by middle school and high school players. He also awards Lynch Family Legacy Scholarships, eight in all last year. Since 1998, 36 kids ...