Baseball

VOTE: Roberto Clemente Award Nominees Revealed As Seattle Mariners Star Surfaces In The Mix

Nero Scofield

The Roberto Clemente Award, regarded as baseball’s highest individual accolade, is presented each year to the MLB player who exemplifies the sport’s values through exceptional character, community service, philanthropy, and positive impacts both on and off the field.

Starting today, fans can cast their votes for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One at MLBTogether.com/clemente21 (available in both English and Spanish). The website will feature profiles of each nominee and allow voting until the end of the season on Sunday, Sept. 29. The results of the fan vote will contribute as one of the votes in the selection process by the blue-ribbon panel.

The tradition of honoring Major Leaguers for their philanthropic efforts began in 1971 with the establishment of the Commissioner’s Award. This recognition was renamed the Roberto Clemente Award in 1973 to honor Clemente following his death the previous year.

Here are the nominees for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award from each Major League Baseball club:

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

  • Blue Jays: Chris Bassitt
    After joining the Blue Jays for the 2023 season, Bassitt and his wife, Jessica, launched “Bassitts Pitch In,” an initiative aimed at helping children feel a sense of belonging through sports. They have pledged $10,000 for every game the Blue Jays win when Chris pitches. The funds from “Bassitts Pitch In” benefit the Jays Care Foundation and its Nike RBI Summer Edition program, which provides free sports activities to enhance the well-being of children in Toronto’s underserved communities. Additionally, Chris has visited pediatric patients at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital throughout the 2024 season, bringing gifts and support.
  • Orioles: James McCann
    McCann is dedicated to supporting children and families. This past August, he and his wife, Jessica, provided backpacks, clothing, and shoes to students at Harlem Park Elementary Middle School in West Baltimore. McCann also teaches PE classes at the school, engages with students and staff during Orioles batting practices on Fridays, and has granted wishes for children with life-threatening conditions through the Dream On 3 organization. James and Jessica also offer gifts and support to families at local Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), an experience close to their hearts after their own premature twins spent seven weeks in the NICU in 2017.

Rays: Jason Adam
Before his trade to the Padres on July 30, Adam was actively involved in various nonprofit efforts while with the Rays. He volunteered at Ronald McDonald Houses in St. Petersburg and on the road, served meals, and supported youth education initiatives. Adam participated in events for children with dyslexia and aphasia, and he and his wife, Kelsey, have collaborated with Compassion International to fight child poverty. Additionally, they are engaged with International Justice Mission, which works globally to combat sex trafficking.

Red Sox: Liam Hendriks
A six-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, Hendriks has continued his impactful off-field work in his debut season with Boston. After overcoming Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2023, he has committed to engaging with cancer patients both during home games and while traveling with the team. Hendriks has partnered with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Young Adult Program to offer VIP experiences at Fenway Park for cancer patients and survivors. He is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, has participated in a Stand Up To Cancer ad campaign, backs the Lymphoma Research Foundation, and is dedicated to animal rescue efforts.

Yankees: Marcus Stroman
In 2018, Stroman established the Height Doesn’t Measure Heart Foundation, dedicated to helping underprivileged youth overcome their challenges. The foundation has so far assisted nearly 1,000 young people and provided 300,000 meals. Earlier this year, it introduced a scholarship program, granting $25,000 scholarships to two high school seniors from the Bronx. A Medford, N.Y. native, Stroman collaborates with organizations such as the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, DREAM Charter Schools, the YMCA, and the NYPD to promote the values of work ethic, mental health, and education among students.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians: Steven Kwan
Kwan is now in his second year mentoring eighth graders at Hannah Gibbons-Nottingham School in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. As part of the district’s True 2U volunteer mentorship program, he has dedicated numerous hours to guiding students on career choices, managing peer pressure, and using journaling as a means to cope with daily challenges. A passionate chess enthusiast, Kwan has built a strong bond with members of the John Marshall High School chess club, inviting them to Guardians games and hosting a graduation party in the team’s dugout.

Royals: Salvador Perez
Perez’s commitment to philanthropy is extensive. Each winter, the three-time Clemente Award nominee provides food and essential supplies to families in his hometown of Valencia, Valenzuela, aiding over 10,000 families in the last decade. He has funded numerous surgeries for children with cleft lips and donates over a thousand toys annually to children’s hospitals. Perez is involved with “Sarah’s Soldiers,” an initiative that raises funds for ALS research, and collaborates with Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. This summer in Kansas City, he organized a baseball clinic for more than 100 children from underserved areas and ensured that each participant received a backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming year.

Tigers: Tarik Skubal

Earlier this year, Tarik Skubal and his wife, Jessica, contributed to the Detroit Tigers Foundation, supporting both the foundation itself and Alternatives for Girls, an organization dedicated to aiding homeless and at-risk young women. Their donation was aimed at assisting survivors of domestic violence. Since 2021, Skubal has participated in the Tigers’ Autographs for a Cause program, with proceeds from his signed cards benefiting the team’s foundation and a Little League program in his hometown of Kingman, Arizona. Before this year, Skubal had also made an unrestricted donation to the Tigers Foundation, which has granted over $26 million in funding, Tigers tickets, and college scholarships since its establishment in 2005.

Twins: Pablo López

This season, Pablo López and his wife, Kaylee, helped establish the “Pablo Day” initiative for the Twins, which features a special ticket package for each of López’s starts at Target Field. A portion of the proceeds from these tickets supports three local nonprofits: Ruff Start Rescue, which focuses on animal welfare and pet adoption; Children’s Minnesota, a pediatric acute care hospital; and Project Success, which works to motivate and empower young people to reach their life goals. López has also engaged with local high school students to assist them in practicing foreign languages and is a strong advocate for the Twins Community Fund and its programs aimed at youth development.

White Sox: Andrew Vaughn

At the beginning of the 2024 season, Andrew Vaughn and his wife, Lexi, launched a community outreach initiative called “Going, Going, Gone,” making a significant impact throughout the year. During Spring Training, they distributed toys, food, and clothing to children and families affected by abuse. In late March, Andrew hosted a special Opening Day event for children and families from La Rabida Children’s Hospital. Two months later, the Vaughns engaged with young men and women at Chicago’s Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. In August, Andrew organized a Nike Home Run Derby for young athletes from the White Sox Amateur City Elite (ACE) and Team Teflon programs, which are designed to inspire the next generation of Black baseball and softball players.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels: Mike Trout
Mike Trout frequently visits local hospitals to lift the spirits of children facing severe illnesses, creating an environment of compassion and support for these kids and their families during their tough times. His encouragement has reached many across the nation through messages of hope. Following the death of his brother-in-law, Aaron, in 2018, Trout and his wife, Jessica, have become actively involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, contributing personally to efforts aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encouraging individuals to seek help.

Astros: Kyle Tucker

After his grandfather passed away in hospice care in 2021, Kyle Tucker established the Kyle Tucker Foundation in early 2022. The foundation aims to support nonprofits that offer end-of-life care and assist those benefiting from these services in both Houston and Tucker’s hometown of Tampa, Florida. As a three-time All-Star, Tucker honors hospice care providers by hosting them at Minute Maid Park throughout the season to recognize their contributions. He also regularly organizes meet-and-greets with families affected by childhood cancer during batting practice. In July, Tucker surprised one family with a trip to the All-Star Game in Texas and provided $50,000 in financial aid.

Athletics: Mason Miller

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during college, Mason Miller now focuses on helping children with the same condition. He hosts meet-and-greets before games both at home in Oakland and on the road, visits patients at UCSF, and supports Camp Sweet Escape—a program by the South Carolina Youth Diabetes Association that offers recreational activities for kids with Type 1 diabetes. Additionally, Miller and his teammates visit the Bay Area’s School of Imagination, which provides early childhood education and intervention for neurodiverse learners.

Mariners: J.P. Crawford

J.P. Crawford is committed to enhancing access to baseball and softball in underserved communities. He serves on the board of the Baseball Generations Foundation, which has supplied resources, equipment, and playing opportunities to thousands of children in need—over 100 of whom have earned Division I baseball scholarships, and 28 have been drafted by MLB teams. Crawford also helped establish the Mariners’ Hometown Nine Fellowship program, which is now in its fifth year, offering support to student-athletes in the Seattle area. Additionally, Crawford and his wife, Kathleen, oversee the Mariners’ “Seattle Angels” program, which aids girls in foster care with back-to-school shopping.

Rangers: Marcus Semien

Marcus Semien is deeply engaged with the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, where he mentors young athletes and helps distribute food to their families. This includes organizing over 200 Thanksgiving dinners each year through the Rangers’ annual Thanksgiving distribution. Semien and his wife, Tarah, also collaborate with the nonprofit Food for the Soul to supply meals to athletes’ families during summer breaks, addressing the hunger that can occur when children who depend on school meal programs are not in session. Additionally, Semien and his father, Damien, offer guidance to student-athletes and their families on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, social media, relationships, and mental wellness.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Chris Sale

Though Chris Sale has only been with the Braves for one season, he has already made a significant impact on the community, particularly with local children and military families. Each month during the season, Sale invites deserving Braves fans to a private pregame hospitality area at Truist Park for a special and memorable game day experience. He has hosted families from organizations such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Miracle Network, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Camp Sunshine. Sale not only provides these groups with food and Braves merchandise but also takes the time to interact with them, take photos, and sign autographs. Additionally, Sale played a major role in the Braves’ Lou Gehrig Day celebration, which was particularly meaningful to him due to his grandmother’s battle with ALS, which she succumbed to in 1995.

Marlins: Jesús Luzardo

Jesús Luzardo has demonstrated a strong commitment to his hometown, both on and off the field. Since joining the Marlins in 2021, he has dedicated himself to giving back to the community through partnerships with the Miami Marlins Foundation and by organizing his own events. His efforts include hosting a free baseball clinic for local youth and his former high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., as well as regularly visiting the Challenger Baseball League, an adaptive program for children with special needs and disabilities. Luzardo has also taken part in five baseball fantasy camps for kids organized by the Marlins Foundation over the past three seasons. Earlier this year, he established the Luzardo Family Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at empowering and supporting children from underserved communities to help them achieve their full potential.

Mets: Francisco Lindor

Since joining the Majors, Francisco Lindor has been actively involved in his local communities. He has contributed funds to restore the sports program at his former grammar school in Puerto Rico, organized baseball clinics, promoted health and wellness, and established a scholarship at his high school alma mater in Florida. Lindor is well-known for his generosity and commitment to others. His recent initiatives include a campaign to distribute free backpacks to local students and a beach cleanup at Wilderness Beach in Puerto Rico. This effort was carried out in collaboration with Players for the Planet and the Puerto Rico-based Rescate Playas Borinquen, an organization focused on the restoration and preservation of natural resources and recreational areas on the island.

Nationals: Josiah Gray

Since joining the Nationals, Josiah Gray has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting others. He regularly participates in the Nationals’ summer reading program and MLB PLAY BALL events, among other community activities. Gray has also formed meaningful connections at the Nationals’ Youth Baseball Academy, where he supports school-age children in its programs and acts as a liaison between the Nationals’ clubhouse and the local community. Over the past three years, Gray has been actively involved with Nationals Academy Scholar Athletes. In 2023, he became the first Nationals Player Ambassador to create a unique event at the Academy, “Glow and Throw with JoJo,” featuring a night of glow-in-the-dark baseball activities for Scholar Athletes in the Academy’s competitive baseball programs.

Phillies: Kyle Schwarber

Kyle Schwarber has made a significant impact on the Philadelphia community through his initiative, Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes. This program honors first responders, military personnel, and their families by creating positive experiences and providing support for wellness, education, and crisis needs. Since its launch in 2017, the foundation has assisted over 630 families and granted more than $660,000 to nonprofits supporting these causes, including the Philadelphia Police and Fire Department Foundations, Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation, TAPS, Team Foster, and the USO. Schwarber also regularly visits local police and fire departments to deliver lunch as a token of appreciation. Additionally, he frequently hosts military members and first responders, along with their families, for meet-and-greets on the field during batting practice.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers: Freddy Peralta

Freddy Peralta has played a key role in establishing a scholarship fund in partnership with other Latin players and the Brewers Community Foundation, benefiting the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). This initiative has raised over $150,000 to provide scholarships to deserving Latino students. Peralta’s leadership and active participation have not only helped address the financial needs of many young students but also fostered hope and ambition within the community. Beyond his work with LULAC, Peralta is actively involved in various community outreach programs focused on youth development and education. This year, he is co-chairing the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee’s signature gala, supporting their mission to enhance economic opportunities and expand Latino influence in Wisconsin.

Cardinals: Paul Goldschmidt

A nine-time nominee for the Clemente Award, Paul Goldschmidt’s charitable and philanthropic work remains extensive. One of his recent significant contributions occurred in June when he, in collaboration with the Gateway Region YMCA, the Boniface Foundation, and Cardinals Care, inaugurated the Paul Goldschmidt Miracle League Field at the new YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex on the South County YMCA campus. This field features a cushioned, barrier-free surface and accessible dugouts for players with disabilities. In addition to this project, Goldschmidt organizes an annual free baseball clinic to teach skills to young athletes and promote a positive approach to youth sports among parents and coaches.

Cubs: Patrick Wisdom

Since making his Major League debut in 2018, Patrick Wisdom has distinguished himself through his community involvement, particularly in pediatric cancer research. After meeting a young cancer patient in the Minor Leagues, Wisdom dedicated himself to honoring the boy’s memory by raising funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Hospital through a range of merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, and autographed trading cards. As a regional ambassador for St. Jude’s, he works to raise money to ensure that families at the hospital are not burdened with bills. Additionally, Wisdom participates in Cubs Charities activities, which include school visits, baseball clinics, and fundraising events.

Pirates: David Bednar

David Bednar has been a prominent figure at community events for the Pirates and their nonprofit, Pirates Charities, both during the season and the offseason. A significant part of his work involves addressing mental health stigma. Bednar has been deeply involved with the Pirates’ Chill Mobile project, a retrofitted RV that provides students across the Pittsburgh area with a calming environment to learn coping skills and engage in interactive experiences to improve their mental health. By sharing his personal experiences and promoting the message “It’s OK to not be OK,” Bednar has helped the Pirates connect with over 12,000 students and 1,000 school staff and faculty.

Reds: Brent Suter

Though he only joined his hometown team this season, Brent Suter has long been active in the Cincinnati community. Even while playing for other teams, he would visit the P&G MLB Reds Youth Academy to interact with young athletes. Now with the Reds, his involvement has expanded. Suter’s charitable efforts include engaging with Make-A-Wish visitors during batting practice and visiting patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He plans to return to the hospital this month to read from his children’s book, “The Binky Bandit.” Suter is also a proponent of sustainability, having partnered this season with La Soupe, a local organization that repurposes food destined for waste into meals for those in need around the city.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs: Paul Sewald

Paul Sewald and his family have teamed up with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation to support Child Crisis Arizona, an organization that provides emergency shelter, foster care, counseling, and early education services to vulnerable children and families. Since being traded to Arizona in July 2023, Sewald has donated over $100,000 to Child Crisis Arizona through personal contributions and matching donations from fans and the D-backs’ front office. Additionally, Sewald has organized drives to distribute baseball equipment and school supplies to children in underserved communities throughout his Major League career.

Dodgers: Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts and his wife, Brianna, founded the 5050 Foundation to enhance the lives of children in underserved communities by addressing their physical, mental, and emotional health. Each year, Betts collaborates with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to distribute food to those in need, having donated over $300,000 in the past three years to help feed thousands of families during the holidays. Additionally, Betts has supported the renovation and improvement of youth sports facilities and has teamed up with UCLA Children’s Hospital to establish the Betts on Us Fund. This initiative offers financial aid to families, enabling them to access essential healthcare services for their children.

Giants: Mike Yastrzemski
Mike Yastrzemski played a pivotal role in establishing the Giants’ annual Mustache May event, which began as a fun team ritual and has evolved into a significant awareness campaign for mental health and the often underutilized support resources available to those in need. This tradition has led to the creation of merchandise, with all proceeds benefiting the Heart and Armor Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the mental health of veterans who frequently lack adequate care after their service. Alongside his wife, Paige, Yastrzemski frequently hosts veterans and their families at Giants games and also makes time to visit children with severe illnesses and support young baseball and softball players in the Bay Area.

Padres: Manny Machado
Since the Peter Seidler Legacy Fund was established in December 2023 to honor the late Padres owner and sustain his community-focused charitable work, Manny Machado has been deeply involved in its initiatives. He has supported the development of the San Diego Rescue Mission South County Lighthouse, a shelter offering trauma-informed care for individuals experiencing homelessness. Additionally, in collaboration with the Padres, Machado launched a program to boost school attendance in the San Diego Unified School District and frequently invites children from underserved communities to Petco Park for batting practice sessions and opportunities to meet Padres players.

Rockies: Kyle Freeland
As a native of the Denver area, Freeland is a dedicated advocate for Special Olympics Colorado, a cause he first encountered through his Rookie-ball host family in Grand Junction, Colo. Freeland and his wife, Ashley, frequently organize online raffles featuring baseball memorabilia to raise funds for the organization and actively volunteer at Rockies-sponsored fantasy camps designed for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

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