In 1971, Major League Baseball created the Commissioner’s Award to honour those players who exemplify philanthropic efforts in their communities.

The award was renamed the Roberto Clemente Award in 1973 after the player was killed in a plane crash attempting to take relief supplies to survivors of an earthquake in Nicaragua.

Today the Roberto Clemente Award is one of the most prestigious awards in sports; alongside the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in the NFL.

On September 15, the MLB released the candidates fore the 2025 Award – one player from each of the 30 teams.

From now until September 28 – the last day of the regular season  – fans can go to MLBTogether.com/clemente21 where they can cast their vote for the player they believe is the most deserving.  Fans will find player bios in English and Spanish to help them make a decision.

The player that receives the most votes will earn one point to be added to those of the deciding panel.

And the nominees are:
Jose Berrios of the Toronto Blue Jays who has founded the La Makina Foundation in his native Puerto Rico and El Dream in Toronto to aid youth realize their baseball dreams.

Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles who helped to renovate an outdoor classroom at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School.  He also held bible study classes for his teammates during spring training and has volunteered at a number of nonprofit groups.

Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays who founded Strikeouts for Ellis where he donates $100 for every strikeout.  Fairbanks and his wife lost a daughter to Turner Syndrome – a chromosomal disorder that affects females.  He also spends time helping families in crisis at the Ronald McDonald House and has helped to distribute goods to families affected by hurricanes.

Liam Hendriks of the Boston Red Sox is a seven time nominee.  A cancer survivor, he has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research and support for veterans.  An outfielder, he frequently can be seen making friends with the fans near the warning track at Fenway Park.

Carlos Rodon of the New York Yankees who has created a foundation to help couples with fertility and pregnancy issues.  He has also volunteered at the New York City organization Bottomless Closet who aids women trying to enter the workforce.

Bo Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians who is involved with youth baseball and softball camps and spends time at animal shelters making snacks, toys, and blankets for the animals.

Bobby Witt Jr of the Kansas City Royals who helps to inspire the next generation to realize their dreams as a professional baseball player like himself.  He also works to increase local literacy rates and helps to grant wishes through the Dream Factory and works to increase awareness of and fight ALS.

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers works with Alternatives for Girls with his wife and are working to find a way to open an early childhood education center.  He is also involved with the Tigers Autograph for a Cause program.

Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins is dedicated to children’s programs including hospitals and taking impoverished children on back to school shopping trips.  He visits high school foreign language classes to help the students with their conversation skills.

Mike Tauchman of the Chicago White Sox who along with his wife assembles care packages for families dealing with children facing cleft and other craniofacial conditions.

Logan O’Hoppe of the Los Angeles Angels is dedicated to helping pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Josh Hader of the Houston Astros and his wife have been involved in every community where Hader has played.  His Hader’s Heart Program takes children in the care of Child Protective Services to Astros games.

Lawrence Butler of the (Las Vegas) Athletics has established the L4W Foundation to aid youth in Atlanta’s inner city with mentorships, education, and baseball camps.  While the A’s are playing in Sacramento, Butler is volunteering for a number of organizations in the area.

J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners is helping to promote youth baseball and softball that includes an All Star event each year.  To date 44 players from the program have entered the MLB.  He is also involved in Rizzs Toys for Kids Foundation, Seattle Angles, and the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers and his wife support the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and works with local youth baseball programs.

Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves and his wife work closely with foster care programs including giving foster car families VIP baseball experiences.  They also make weekly visits to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Griffin Conine of the Miami Marlins is the son of MLB star Jeff Conine, has spread himself all across the Miami area helping out in numerous organizations including youth baseball.

Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets is a familiar face around the city.  His community activism that also includes his native Puerto Rico and in Florida that includes hurricane relief and visits local schools.

Trevor Williams of the Washington Nationals founded the organization Project 34 with former teammate Cory Hahn aids people living with spinal cord injuries.  Hahn was paralyzed during a game after a C-5 injury.

Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies is a big advocate of Team Red, White & Blue – an organization for veterans and members of the military.  He also is involved in raising ALS awareness and ending hunger in the Philly area.

Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers is known as a hustler both on and off the field volunteering in programs all across Milwaukee.

Brendan Donovan of the St Louis Cardinals supports programs and organizations that aid families in need and spends time with veterans.

Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs established a foundation to help support hospice care programs for patients and the caregivers.

Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates is an alum of the Air Force Academy and is deeply involved in military causes. The pitcher donates $100 for every strikeout to the Gary Sinise Foundation.  He also works his young people battling life-threatening diseases.

Brent Suter of the Cincinnati Reds is highly involved with the Reds Community Fund, providing programs for kids including baseball and softball.

Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks is heavily involved with the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and is passionate about aiding youth get access to educational and sporting programs.

Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers works to break barriers for children through his 5050 Foundation.  During the wildfires earlier this year he donated over $30,000 worth of clothing to victims of the fires.

Ryan Walker of the San Francisco Giants spends a great deal of time offering community service on days that he is not on the pitcher’s mound.  He even offers his time…and money…in cities the Giants visit for games.

Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres is a San Diego native and is passionate about aiding programs for the local community; especially children and military.  He helped to fund a Padres themed playground and Wiffle Ball field at the Armed Services YMCA.

Kyle Freeland of the Colorado Rockies is a Denver native and spends a great deal of time helping out the community including the Special Olympics Colorado.  He also donated a significant amount of money to build a state-of-the-art baseball clubhouse at his alma mater the University of Evansville.