CINCINNATI — Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby and Henry Aaron have been chosen by Major League Baseball for this year's Beacon Awards to be presented as part of this year's Civil Rights Game.

The game originated in Memphis, Tenn., in 2007 as an exhibition and will be played during the regular season for the first time when the Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago White Sox on June 20.

Baseball officials say the awards are intended to honor individuals whose lives are emblematic of the civil rights movement. The honors will be presented at a luncheon before the game.

Previous Beacon Award winners include filmmaker Spike Lee, actress Ruby Dee and baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.