- Quote:
-
Continuing to honor the memory of a superstar who donated his life to aid others, Major League Baseball on Tuesday announced the club nominees for its most prestigious off-field honor, the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award.
Candidates for the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy include Johnny Damon of the Yankees, David Wright of the Mets, Brandon Webb of the D-backs and Albert Pujols of the Cardinals.
They and the other club nominees have immersed themselves in the type of humanitarian and community efforts that distinguished the life of Clemente, a life which ended at 38 on New Year's Eve 1972 with the crash of a plane aboard which he was personally delivering aid to Nicaraguan earthquake victims.
The Roberto Clemente Award, established in 2002, is presented annually to the MLB player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community.
Last year's winner, following the final season of a 20-year career that produced 3,060 hits, was Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros.
"I applaud the 2008 club winners of the Roberto Clemente Award," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "For the second season, Chevy will join us to remember the life and work of Roberto Clemente, and recognize this group of 30 players who represent the game of baseball, both on and off the field, in the spirit of this award."
Fans will once again have the opportunity to participate in the selection of the national winner. From Sept. 3 through Oct. 5, they can cast their votes by logging onto www.chevy.com/clemente.
The fan-ballot winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by a special selection panel of baseball dignitaries and media members. The panel includes Commissioner Selig and Vera Clemente, widow of the Pirates' Hall of Fame right fielder.
Voting fans will also be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to Game 3 of the 2008 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced.
2008 ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD FINALISTS Team Player Arizona Diamondbacks Brandon Webb Atlanta Braves Tim Hudson Baltimore Orioles Melvin Mora Boston Red Sox Kevin Youkilis Chicago Cubs Ryan Dempster Chicago White Sox Jermaine Dye Cincinnati Reds Brandon Phillips Cleveland Indians Grady Sizemore Colorado Rockies Jeff Francis Detroit Tigers Magglio Ordonez Florida Marlins Luis Gonzalez Houston Astros Lance Berkman Kansas City Royals Mark Teahen Los Angeles Angels Justin Speier Los Angeles Dodgers James Loney Milwaukee Brewers Jeff Suppan Minnesota Twins Michael Cuddyer New York Mets David Wright New York Yankees Johnny Damon Oakland Athletics Mark Ellis Philadelphia Phillies Jimmy Rollins Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Wilson St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols San Diego Padres Trevor Hoffman San Francisco Giants Kevin Frandsen Seattle Mariners Raul Ibanez Tampa Bay Rays Carlos Pena Texas Rangers Kevin Millwood Toronto Blue Jays Vernon Wells Washington Nationals Joel Hanrahan
Chevy will donate $30,000 and a Chevy vehicle to the national winner's charity of choice and an additional $30,000 will be donated by Chevy to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a not-for-profit organization in Carolina, Puerto Rico, designed to provide recreational sports activities for children. Additionally, Chevy will donate $7,500 to the charity of choice of each of the 30 club recipients.
GM North American vice president of Chevrolet Ed Peper said, "Roberto Clemente was an amazing player on the diamond, and an even better man off the field. Chevrolet is privileged and honored to sponsor the award that bears his name, and on behalf of our 3,900 dealers, we congratulate all of this year's award winners."
"These 30 leaders help to keep Roberto's legacy alive," Peper added, "by selflessly giving back to their communities in so many ways."
mlb.com
|