CARACAS – According to reports in various media, Venezuelan “peloteros” José Altuve, Miguel Cabrera and Pablo López received the nomination for the Roberto Clemente award. This accolade is presented annually by Major League Baseball to players who make their mark on and off the diamond. For example, off the pitch with initiatives that help the community where he resides. Previously this award was called Premio del Comisionado, but then due to the untimely death of the player Roberto Clemente in 1972 the name was changed.
Altuve earned the nomination for his commitment to the Sunshine Kids foundation, which helps children with cancer. On July 31st, after an Astros competition, together with his wife and daughter they organized an event with wines that had the name of “Uncork for a Cause”. In this event the fans present had the opportunity to immortalize themselves and ask for an autograph to “Atroboy”.
Over the past two years the event has managed to raise $ 200,000. During the pandemic, Altuve and his wife partnered with the Astros Foundation to donate 60,000 meals to “Kid’s Meals, Inc”. Altuve has also carried out several charitable activities in Venezuela. for the Astros player this is the third nomination after those of 2013 and 2017.
For his part, Miguel Cabrera enters the list of nominees for the ninth occasion, previously he entered the editions of 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021. During the pandemic, “Miggy” was among the promoters of the vaccines in the state of Michigan to this must be added the promotional videos (in English and Spanish) on the use of the mask and correct hand hygiene,
Finally, pitcher López has participated in several lectures in schools where he talks about how to extricate oneself in stressful situations.
At the moment, the only Venezuelan player to take home the Roberto Clemente award is pitcher Carlos Carrasco in 2015, then a New York Mets and fifth nomination.
(by Fioravante De Simone / Caracas editorial staff)
