PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks @LosDbacks) announced that Eduardo Escobar was named the winner of the sixth annual Luis Gonzalez Award, which is given to the D-backs player who best exemplifies the talents, spirit and heart of the D-backs legend both on and off the field, as voted by his teammates, coaches and staff members.

“During an extremely challenging year, Eduardo never stopped giving back and finding ways to inspire his teammates,” said Gonzalez, Senior Advisor to the President & CEO. “This year he focused his efforts on frontline workers battling the pandemic and still found time to visit students and teachers virtually to help those whose education has been completely altered. He continues to step up for Arizona and is a great example to others.”

Growing up in Maracay, Venezuela, Escobar knows first-hand about youth going days without food and the limited educational opportunities prevalent throughout that region and is what fueled his passion for helping provide education to underprivileged youth throughout the Valley. Earlier this month, he surprised the D-backs Most Valuable Teacher at Chase Field and spent time chatting with students at Valencia Newcomer School, a specialized school for children who have relocated and settled in the U.S. from all over the world.

In addition to back-to-back Luis Gonzalez Awards, Escobar was the D-backs’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for the second consecutive season and is a candidate for the national award, which is announced at the World Series.

One of the most popular figures in Arizona Diamondbacks history because of the way he interacted with fans and his game-winning single in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series to give the organization its first world championship, Gonzalez became the first former player to have his number retired by the D-backs during a pregame ceremony in 2010.