Major League Baseball has dedicated game two of the World Series at Busch Stadium to community service. And tonight, the 2011 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award will also be presented.
The award is named for the12-time All-Star and Baseball Hall of Famer and recognizes the active MLB player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field.
St. Louis Cardinals legend and Hall of Famer Lou Brock received the award in 1975. Today he spoke with 68 middle school-age boys at Loyola Academy about Clemente’s legacy.
“I am proud to represent not only Major League Baseball, but the spirit of the Clemente award,” Brock said. “His family is here, they have traveled many cities talking about the spirit of a man who is dedicated to making sure the community is a better place to live.”
Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash in 1972 while attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Every year each of the 30 teams nominates one player for the award.
Three St. Louis Cardinals have received the award: Lou Brock in 1975, Ozzie Smith in 1995, and Albert Pujols in 2008.