Adrian Gonzalez Nominated for Another Roberto Clemente Award
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez has been nominated for the Robert Clemente Award for the fifth time in his career and his third as a Dodger.
Gonzalez is looking to be the first Dodgers’ player to win the award since Clayton Kershaw in 2012.
Before Kershaw’s win, Steve Garvey was the only Dodger to claim the prestigious honor in 1981.
#VoteAdrian!@Adrian_ElTitan is the #Dodgers 2016 Roberto Clemente Award nominee: https://t.co/HF77XRgLYU pic.twitter.com/mYvPv6WcQS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 6, 2016
Adrian Gonzalez is Dodgers' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award (also in 2013, 2015), which recognizes both on- & off-field contributions
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) September 6, 2016
The award was previously named, the Commissioner’s Award. It was renamed the Roberto Clemente Award in 1973 in honor of the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve in 1972.
Yadier Alvarez: The Next Big ThingThe 15-time all star was a two time World Series champion and a World Series Most Valuable Player. He was also the National League MVP in 1966. He also claimed 12 Gold Glove Awards and four NL batting titles.
September 7, marks the 15th annual Roberto Clemente Day. His logo will be plastered around all of baseball.
By definition, the Robert Clemente Award recognizes the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”
That describes Gonzalez to a tee.
Gonzalez is apart of many different charities and charitable organizations, according to mlb.com
- Adrian and Betsy Gonzalez Foundation: Empowers under-privileged youth with college scholarships, pediatric cancer support and stadium access to low-income families.
- Viva Los Dodger Days: Provides all inclusive All-You-Can-Eat tickets and parking in the greater Los Angeles area for low-income families.
- Ambassador for PADRES Contra El Cancer (Parents Against Cancer): Improves the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families.
The buck doesn’t stop there for A-Gon. He regularly attends the team’s Children’s Holiday Party.
In 2014, Gonzalez has partnered with Nike footwear at NIKETOWN to give away sneakers to 200 students from Roosevelt High School. Also, during the holidays in 2012-13 at the Annual East Los Angeles Winter Wonderland Holiday Celebration, Gonzalez helped to distribute $25,000 worth of toys.
Despite there being 30 different nominees (one from each MLB team), the work Gonzalez has put in on and off the field he is a favorite to walk away with the award.
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