Detroit.- The Detroit Tigers nominated Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera for the “Roberto Clemente” Award, and Major League
Baseball announced this Tuesday. The “Roberto Clemente” is the most prestigious individual honor among Major League
Baseball players.
The “Roberto Clemente” award is the annual recognition given to a Major League
Baseball player who best represents
baseball through his extraordinary character, involvement with the community, philanthropy, and positive contributions both on and off the field.
As part of the annual program, each MLB team nominates a player to be considered for the league’s top prize in tribute to the accomplishments and character of Clemente.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Cabrera stepped up both on and off the field to support this cause. In 2021, Cabrera joined with Governor Gretchen Whitmer to promote vaccination against Covid-19 in the state of Michigan. He served as co-chair of the Protect Michigan commission. As part of his effort, Cabrera recorded public service announcements in both English and Spanish to encourage residents to get vaccinated, wear face masks and maintain physical distancing to reduce the spread of the virus.
Additionally, in response to the Covid-19 crisis in 2020, Rosángel and Miguel Cabrera partnered with the Detroit Tigers Foundation to donate $ 250,000 to benefit children and families in Detroit.The donation helped provide meals for children, technology for students, daycare for families and high-quality face masks for Detroit residents through grants to the Detroit Public Schools Community District, The Detroit Public Schools Foundation, G1 Impact, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL ) and Brilliant Detroit.
“Since joining our Detroit community in 2008, Miguel has been a constant positive force both on and off the field,” said Tigres Executive Vice President of
Baseball Operations and General Manager Al Avila. “Miguel’s support of those in need during some very difficult times in the last year has been heroic, but at the same time it is not something that comes as a surprise to those of us who know him. He continues to make an impact in the community in both Detroit and Michigan and all of us at the Tigers are proud of his nomination, ”he added.
“Being nominated for the ‘Roberto Clemente’ award is a great honor,” said Cabrera in turn. “It is one of the most prestigious accolades in sport and I really appreciate being nominated for it. Getting out of the pandemic has been very difficult for so many people around the world, but my family and I are proud to play a small role in helping the Detroit and Michigan communities to battle through these truly difficult times. It is also great to see the progress we are making with vaccinations and, like everyone else, I hope we return to normal as soon as possible, “said the slugger.
This Wednesday, September 15, the twentieth edition of Roberto Clemente Day is celebrated, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy as a humanitarian and to formally announce the nominees of each team for the Roberto Clemente Award.
As part of the celebration throughout the league, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will be on the bases and in the official dugout lineup, in addition, a video paying tribute will be shown in all parks and stadiums. special.
The ultimate winner of the Roberto Clemente award will be selected by a high-level panel, which includes Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., representatives from MLB-affiliated broadcasters (MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN and TBS), MLB.com, as well as Clemente’s sons Enrique, Luis and Roberto Clemente Jr.
Starting today, fans can vote for the Roberto Clemente award through mlb.com/clemente21. The website will have the biographies of each of the nominees and will allow fans until the end of the season on Sunday, October 3. The fan vote will count as one more vote within the high-level panel.
The concept of honoring Major League Baseball players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award.” The award was renamed “Roberto Clemente” in 1973 in honor of the Hall of Famer and 15-time All Star team member who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Day 1972 while trying to bring aid to earthquake victims. it struck Nicaragua that year.
