Craig Breslow named Red Sox nominee for 2013 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet

BOSTON, MA - Craig Breslow was today named as the Red Sox' nominee for the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. The intellectually-talented lefthander is one of 30 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.

Red Sox players won back-to-back awards in 2010 and 2011 when Tim Wakefield and David Ortiz were honored, respectively. Wakefield is now the Honorary Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation.

Breslow, who graduated from Yale University with a double major in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, is a long-time advocate for pediatric oncology. His sister was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 14 and has been a cancer survivor for 15 years. Breslow, 33, established The Strike 3 Foundation in 2008 to raise awareness, cultivate support, and generate funds to combat cancer in children. 

He oversees the daily operations of Strike 3's all-volunteer organization, comprising volunteer lawyers, doctors, corporate executives, and other professionals who donate their time, services, and expertise. The charity has raised more than $1.5 million. 

Earlier this year, the native of Connecticut conducted baseball clinics for children from Newtown, and spent time with patients at the Yale New Haven Medical Center. In June, Breslow visited patients at Tufts Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, and spent time with Jimmy Fund patients during Spring Training and at Fenway Park during the baseball season. The 8-year MLB veteran is consistently among the Red Sox' most active players in interacting with children in need and in making appearances in the community.

In addition to his charitable work, Breslow published a thoughtful piece refuting an article that had disparaged professional athlete charities, doubted their sincerity, and questioned their effectiveness.

Roberto Clemente Day is celebrated throughout Major League Baseball each September. The day and the award honor the legacy of the outstanding Pittsburgh Pirates' Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Managua, Nicaragua. 

Beginning tomorrow on Roberto Clemente Day, fans are encouraged to participate in the process of selecting the national Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recipient by visiting ChevyBaseball.com, which is powered by MLB Advanced Media, to vote for one of the 30 Club nominees. Voting ends on Sunday, October 6, 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.

Tomorrow's ceremony precedes the Red Sox' 7:10 p.m. game against the Baltimore Orioles.