Anthony Rizzo named Chicago Cubs nominee for the 2013 Roberto Clemento Award Presented by Chevrolet
Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, today announced that Anthony Rizzo was named the Chicago Cubs' 2013 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Tomorrow marks the 12th annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente's legacy and officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Anthony is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.
The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. The 15-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Last year, during his first season with the Cubs, Anthony started the nonprofit Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation to raise money for cancer research and provide support to children and their families battling the disease. As a cancer survivor, Anthony understands the impact cancer has on the entire family. Through fundraising for research and providing support for pediatric cancer patients and their families, the foundation aims to help give every family a fighting chance against cancer.
Since its inception, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation has hosted two very successful inaugural annual events. The Walk-Off For Cancer was held in Anthony's Florida hometown in December of 2012, and the Cook-Off For Cancer took place in Chicago with support of teammates and the front office in August of 2013. Together, these events have raised more than $250,000 for cancer research. Currently, the organizations selected as beneficiaries of this fundraising include The Lymphoma Program at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Health System, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Family Reach Foundation and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
In addition to these fundraising efforts, Anthony makes monthly visits to Lurie Children's Hospital. Anthony has become a welcomed and familiar face to those in the pediatric oncology floor, where he spends much of his time talking with the patients and their families, signing autographs, taking photos and handing out Cubs goodies. Anthony knows how to connect with children battling cancer from his own experience and inspires the kids to keep fighting. He has built strong relationships with some of these patients, who have come out to games to cheer on their favorite player. Anthony often makes a point to say hello to these groups when they visit Wrigley Field.
In recognition of his achievements both on and off the field, Anthony has received several awards and nominations this year, including induction into the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame and the MLBPA Heart & Hustle Award.
"In his two seasons with the team, Anthony has made a tremendous, selfless impact in the community and with his teammates," said Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer. "We urge all baseball fans to recognize him as the 2013 national Roberto Clemente Award recipient."
Anthony will be recognized for his nomination before the team's Sept. 23 home game vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. His foundation will be presented a $7,500 grant as a result of his nomination for this award.
The distinguished list of past national Roberto Clemente Award recipients includes 14 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame:
1971, Willie Mays+**
1972, Brooks Robinson+**
1973, Al Kaline+
1974, Willie Stargell+
1975, Lou Brock+
1976, Pete Rose
1977, Rod Carew+
1978, Greg Luzinski
1979, Andre Thornton
1980, Phil Niekro+
1981, Steve Garvey
1982, Ken Singleton
1983, Cecil Cooper
1984, Ron Guidry
1985, Don Baylor
1986, Garry Maddox
1987, Rick Sutcliffe
1988, Dale Murphy
1989, Gary Carter+
1990, Dave Stewart
1991, Harold Reynolds
1992, Cal Ripken, Jr.+
1993, Barry Larkin+
1994, Dave Winfield+
1995, Ozzie Smith+
1996, Kirby Puckett+
1997, Eric Davis
1998, Sammy Sosa
1999, Tony Gwynn+
2000, Al Leiter
2001, Curt Schilling
2002, Jim Thome
2003, Jamie Moyer
2004, Edgar Martinez
2005, John Smoltz
2006, Carlos Delgado
2007, Craig Biggio
2008, Albert Pujols
2009, Derek Jeter
2010, Tim Wakefield
2011, David Ortiz
2012, Clayton Kershaw
+ Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
** Originally known as the Commissioner's Award (prior to 1973)
Beginning tomorrow on Roberto Clemente Day, fans are encouraged to participate in the process of selecting the national award recipient by visiting ChevyBaseball.com to vote for one of the 30 Club nominees. Voting ends Sunday, Oct. 6, and participating fans will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2013 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet will be announced. The winner of the fan vote will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel.
Clubs playing at home Sept. 17 will recognize their local nominees as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies, while visiting Clubs will honor their nominees before another September home game. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and the official dugout lineup cards.