DENVER -- Rockies right fielder Carlos González was nominated as the team's representative for the Roberto Clemente Award for his work in Colorado and his native Venezuela.
Gonzalez and his wife, Indonesia, created the Carlos Gonzalez Foundation in 2014 with much of their efforts focused on children's health and well-being. In June, his foundation partnered with Project C.U.R.E to donate hospital supplies to Venezuela.
"Obviously I came from Venezuela and didn't have much when I was little," Gonzalez said. "I want to be that person or someone that can at least do a little something for them to make sure they're going in the right path. They can be whatever they want to be when they grow older. They can be a doctor. If they want to be a baseball player, I'm a great example for them."
Voting is underway, and fans are encouraged to participate in the new process of selecting the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award by posting any nominee's voting hashtags to MLB's official social media accounts, @MLB on Twitter and Facebook.com/MLB<http: facebook.com="" mlb="">. Gonzalez's hashtag is #VoteCarGo.
In the past, Gonzalez has also raised money for children's hospitals and collecting baseball equipment for children in need.
"It's a really good cause, collecting money for people who need it," Gonzalez said. "That's the biggest thing for us. You're going to help young kids and make sure they're healthy and doing the right thing, like going to school and playing sports."
Major League Baseball announced the 30 club nominees on Tuesday for the annual recognition of a player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Each club nominates one player to be considered for the Roberto Clemente Award in tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others.
Wednesday marks the 15th annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by MLB to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially acknowledge local club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. Clubs playing at home on Wednesday will recognize their local nominees as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies. 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 official dugout lineup cards and a special tribute video will be played in ballparks.
The original "Commissioner's Award" for philanthropic service was renamed in 1973 in honor of Clemente, the Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star, who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.