Baseball Celebrates Clemente Day With Award Finalists

Written by: Jerry Milani on 2nd September 2009

Baseball Celebrates Clemente Day With Award Finalists | read this item

clementeplaque Today is the eighth annual Roberto Clemente Day, during which Major League Baseball honors Clemente’s legacy and officially recognizes each team’s local recipients of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. Those team winners are also finalists for the overall award, presented annually to the MLB player who “combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field.”

The award is of course named for the 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The award perpetuates the Puerto Rico native Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Fans can once again participate in the selection process of the national winner of the award, officially known as the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. From today through October 4, fans are encouraged to log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees.

“I would like to congratulate and thank each of the Club nominees for the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award for their exceptional play on the field and dedication to their local communities,” said Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig in a statement. “Major League Baseball and Chevy have continued this joint partnership in honoring Roberto Clemente, one of the game’s greatest players and a remarkable humanitarian. It is a great achievement for these players representing each of the 30 Major League Baseball Clubs to be mentioned alongside Roberto Clemente. I commend all of the nominees for representing Major League Baseball with honor and embodying our game’s commitment to its communities.”

pujols Dominican Republic native Albert Pujols, last year’s overall recipient, has again been named the St. Louis Cardinals team winner for 2009. This year’s winner will be announced during the World Series.