CC nets second Clemente Award nomination

ST. PETERSBURG -- CC Sabathia has been announced as the Yankees' nominee for this year's Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Chevrolet. The award recognizes a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.

Each club nominates one player to be considered in an effort to pay tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Earning his second nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award (2011), Sabathia -- along with his wife, Amber -- established the "PitCCh In" Foundation in 2009. The foundation is committed to the care and needs of inner-city children, while helping to raise self-esteem through sports activities and education.

Since 2009, "PitCCh In" has given more than 15,500 youngsters new backpacks filled with back-to-school essentials in Sabathia's hometown of Vallejo, Calif. Each December since 2011, Sabathia has hosted an annual party for 52 members of the Madison Square Boys & Girls Columbus Clubhouse at the MLB Fan Cave.

In January, Sabathia hosted a "PitCCh In" Foundation ProCamps event for more than 200 children, held on CC Sabathia Field at Vallejo High School. Last offseason, Sabathia also hosted low-income Vallejo teens for a day of bowling and a shopping spree at Nike Town; took part in the 25th Tampa Holiday Concert, where he and his wife read to more than 1,000 children; and held at Central Park the third annual CC Challenge fundraising event, an adventurous three-hour scavenger hunt modeled after "The Amazing Race."

Most recently, Sabathia helped local children ease back into the school year by visiting P.S. 73 in the Bronx on Sept. 5, handing out new backpacks, participating in a question-and-answer session and signing autographs.

Wednesday marks the 13th annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially recognize local club nominees and honor Clemente's legacy. The 15-time Major League All-Star and Hall of Famer died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Beginning Wednesday, fans can vote for the award's national recipient at ChevyBaseball.com, which is powered by MLB Advanced Media. Voting ends on Oct. 6, and participating fans will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to next month's World Series. The winner of the fan vote will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel of dignitaries, from which the honoree will be chosen.

The Yankees are scheduled to recognize Sabathia's nomination for this year's Roberto Clemente Award with an on-field ceremony on Friday prior to their 7:05 p.m. ET game against the Blue Jays.