LOS ANGELES, CA – Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been named the 2025 recipient of Major League Baseball’s most prestigious individual player honor – the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One. Betts was nominated by the Dodgers for his many extraordinary efforts including supporting young people in a variety of ways and helping victims of the Los Angeles fires. Betts will be formally presented with the Roberto Clemente Award at Dodger Stadium before tonight’s Game Three of the World Series presented by Capital One.
An eight-time MLB All-Star, 2018 American League MVP, and three-time World Series Champion, Betts has made meaningful humanitarian contributions, creating opportunities and better outcomes for the less fortunate in the following ways:
- Founder of the 5050 Foundation (est. 2021) — dedicated to breaking barriers for underserved youth through four core pillars: mental/emotional health, nutrition, financial literacy, and physical fitness. Additionally, his foundation raised more than $100,000 through community fundraising efforts this March.
Mookie partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to contribute $160,000 to the Brother Crusade, supporting hunger and homelessness initiatives.
- Betts donated over $30,000 in Nike apparel to victims of the 2025 Los Angeles fires. Mookie and his foundation also helped the Franklin family of Altadena, CA, who lost their home in the Eaton Fire, through financial assistance and recovery resources.
- During the 2024-25 school year, Betts and the 5050 Foundation in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District launched an academic challenge focused on students in high school athletics. Students competed for best overall grade-point average (team and individual), and most improved GPA (team and individual). Students received recognition at a Dodger game, and winning teams and students received sports equipment.
- Betts partnered with the Obama Foundation to deliver youth sports equipment and fund the Mookie Betts Metro Baseball Tournament in Nashville.
- Betts also founded “Team Mookie” AAU basketball program in his hometown — funding six competitive youth teams, including the 2024 EYBL 16U National Champions.
- Betts established the “Betts on Us Fund” at UCLA Children’s Hospital, supporting families of pediatric patients in need of financial assistance.
- To introduce the 5050 Foundation to a broader audience, the organization launched the annual Mookie Betts + Friends Bowling Tournament in 2023, with proceeds from the 2024 event supporting field improvements at Jackie Robinson’s alma mater, John Muir High School — including dugout renovations, outfield widescreens, and other enhancements to elevate the quality of the field.
- Betts remains an active participant in Dodgers community initiatives, including Make-A-Wish visits, UCLA Health engagements, Jackie Robinson Day, Black Heritage Night celebrations and more.
Here is a link to his full submission bio for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award.
The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field. The concept of honoring Major League players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award.” It was renamed to the “Roberto Clemente Award” in 1973 to honor the Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Betts was selected from a list of 30 Club nominees by a distinguished panel that included Commissioner Manfred, Roberto Clemente’s children – Enrique, Luis and Roberto Jr., former players (including former Roberto Clemente Award winners), and journalists from MLB-affiliated network & media partners – MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN, TBS and MLB.com, and a representative from Capital One. Additionally, each year, fans are given the chance to vote via MLBTogether.com/clementeaward. Betts was recognized as a nominee on Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One, which was held on September 15th throughout Major League Baseball. Each September since 2002, Major League Baseball has commemorated Roberto Clemente Day to recognize Clemente Award nominees and celebrate the Hall of Famer’s unforgettable legacy.