Robertson nominated for Clemente Award

CHICAGO -- David Robertson has been selected as the White Sox nominee for the 2015 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. The White Sox closer stands as one of the 30 team 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.

Robertson, who is in his first year with the White Sox, co-founded High Socks for Hope in 2011 with his wife, Erin, after his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was devastated by a tornado. This organization devotes its energy and resources to advocating for those devastated and displaced by tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, as well as homeless, disabled or destitute veterans, according to the White Sox release announcing Robertson's honor.

• Roberto Clemente Award nominees announced

This selection is more of a group nomination, according to Robertson, with his wife and Judy Holland, whom Robertson calls "our golden girl who helps us," also getting mentioned.

"My wife is the CEO pretty much. She runs most of it," said Robertson with a smile. "I'm on the e-mail chains and I answer when I can and I do whatever I can whenever I can. But she's the one, her and Judy, they keep High Socks for Hope going. Keep funds coming in and keep finding volunteers and new families to help and keep moving forward.

"It's awesome. It's incredible. My wife and I have worked really hard in our charity endeavors. You know, keep High Socks for Hope going and keep helping families that are in need. To be nominated for an award that honors a man who did so much for so many different communities means a lot to me."

High Socks for Hope has provided furnishings and other resources for those who lost everything in various states, including more than 175 homes in Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.

In April 2015, just days before the home opener at U.S. Cellular Field, a tornado tore through the Illinois towns of Rochelle and Fairdale. High Socks for Hope immediately sent volunteers and aid to those communities. Robertson and his wife visited the towns in August to meet with families and helped build a house with the assistance of Habitat for Humanity and numerous other volunteers.

Paul Konerko was named co-winner of the Roberto Clemente Award in 2014, sharing the award with Jimmy Rollins. Konerko became the first White Sox player to receive the award and was honored shortly after his retirement.

The 2015 Marvin Miller Man of the Year award, a part of the Players Choice Awards, also will include Robertson on the final ballot. He is joined by Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Dee Gordon, Adam Jones, Skip Schumaker and Justin Turner. Each division is represented with a nominee, with Robertson and Cabrera sharing the AL Central honor.