MLB Players Named as Finalists of the 2010 Roberto Clemente Award Presented by Chevrolet Recognizing Community Service Excellence

Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, today announced the names of the 30 Club nominees, including seven 2010 MLB All-Stars, who are finalists for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. The award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field. Tomorrow will mark the ninth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recognizes players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their Clubs. The award is named for the 12-time 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. The award pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing talented current players who truly understand the value of helping others.

"Major League Baseball is honored to pay tribute to the legacy of Roberto Clemente through this prestigious award," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "The Clubs and their players have a great deal of pride in their efforts of reaching out to their local communities, and I commend them for the impact they have made. I thank Chevrolet for their continued support of the Roberto Clemente Award, and congratulate all of this year's Club nominees."

"Chevrolet celebrates the commitment these nominees have made to giving back to their communities and continuing the legacy of Roberto Clemente," said Chris Perry, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. "Through Chevrolet dealers' work across the country on Chevy Youth Baseball we hope to create the next generation of players and community leaders."

Fans are encouraged to participate in the process of selecting the national award recipient by visiting www.chevy.com/clemente, powered by MLB.com and created specifically for the Roberto Clemente Award platform, from September 7 to October 8 to vote for one of the 30 Club nominees. Participating fans will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2010 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet will be announced.

The winner of the fan poll will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, MLB Goodwill Ambassador and wife of the late Hall of Famer; Commissioner Selig; MLB Network analyst and former Roberto Clemente Award winner Harold Reynolds; MLB Network analyst, TBS broadcaster and former Roberto Clemente Award winner John Smoltz; Hall of Famer and ESPN broadcaster Joe Morgan; former All-Star catcher and FOX broadcaster Tim McCarver; and MLB.com senior correspondent Hal Bodley.

All Clubs playing at home on September 8 will acknowledge their local nominees as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies, while visiting Clubs will honor their nominees during a September homestand.

As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and the official dugout lineup cards.

MLB celebrates Roberto Clemente Day as part of the broader "MLB Going Beyond" platform, which strives to integrate community service and the importance of giving back.