Barry Zito named San Francisco Giants nominee for the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award Presented by Chevrolet
Beginning today, Fans Can Vote for the National Award Recipient on ChevyBaseball.com and Register for a Chance to Win a Trip to the 2013 World Series
Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, today announced that Barry Zito was named the San Francisco Giants 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 to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Zito 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.
Zito founded Strikeouts for Troops Foundation in 2005 which focuses on developing new, creative programs and activities to support and raise money for our injured troops and military families. This year marks the 8th year in providing the comforts of home and lifting the spirits and morale of America's injured servicemen and women as they return home from their missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and assignments around the globe. Zito lends his time and financial support to other local organizations in the Bay Area, most notably with the St. Anthony's Foundation, a non-profit social service for the homeless. He is leading the public campaign to build a new dining hall for St. Anthony's, where they feed and care for 2,500 people each day, many who are veterans. Zito takes part in programs for inner city kids, makes unannounced appearances to feed people at homeless shelters, visits children at hospitals, assists in animal rescue, and is actively engaged in the global battle against illiteracy and hunger. He also provides financial support to the Junior Giants program and makes it possible for hundreds of community groups to attend Giants games each year through the Take Me Out To The Ballgame ticket donation program.
"Barry was our unanimous choice to represent the Giants as the Roberto Clemente Award nominee. He has dedicated himself to improving the lives of our military families to supporting the needs of the Bay Area community," said Larry Baer, President and CEO of the San Francisco Giants. "Barry has been an instrumental member of the Giants team and a leader in our community through his work with Strikeouts for Troops and the St. Anthony's Foundation."
"I am incredibly grateful to be a selected as candidate for the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award," said Zito. "Roberto Clemente was a wonderful man that left a legacy many of us strive to emulate through his passion for the community and greater good. He set the standard for service."
The distinguished list of past national Roberto Clemente Award recipients includes 14 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame:
1971 | Willie Mays+** | 1982 | Ken Singleton | 1993 | Barry Larkin+ | 2004 | Edgar Martinez |
1972 | Brooks Robinson+** | 1983 | Cecil Cooper | 1994 | Dave Winfield+ | 2005 | John Smoltz |
1973 | Al Kaline+ | 1984 | Ron Guidry | 1995 | Ozzie Smith+ | 2006 | Carlos Delgado |
1974 | Willie Stargell+ | 1985 | Don Baylor | 1996 | Kirby Puckett+ | 2007 | Craig Biggio |
1975 | Lou Brock+ | 1986 | Garry Maddox | 1997 | Eric Davis | 2008 | Albert Pujols |
1976 | Pete Rose | 1987 | Rick Sutcliffe | 1998 | Sammy Sosa | 2009 | Derek Jeter |
1977 | Rod Carew+ | 1988 | Dale Murphy | 1999 | Tony Gwynn+ | 2010 | Tim Wakefield |
1978 | Greg Luzinski | 1989 | Gary Carter+ | 2000 | Al Leiter | 2011 | David Ortiz |
1979 | Andre Thornton | 1990 | Dave Stewart | 2001 | Curt Schilling | 2012 | Clayton Kershaw |
1980 | Phil Niekro+ | 1991 | Harold Reynolds | 2002 | Jim Thome | ||
1981 | Steve Garvey | 1992 | Cal Ripken, Jr.+ | 2003 | Jamie Moyer |
+ Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
** Originally known as the Commissioner's Award (prior to 1973)
Beginning today, 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 on Sunday, October 6th 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 on September 17th 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.