Salvador Perez nominated for Roberto Clemente Award – here’s how you can vote

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No Kansas City Royal has ever been named a Roberto Clemente Award winner. The Royals are hoping the third time being nominated is the charm for catcher Salvador Perez.

The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Royals owner John Sherman calls Perez the heart and soul of the team.

“Having an impact in the community is a big part of our mission and Salvy is leading that charge,” Sherman said in a video released by the Kansas City Royals in conjunction with his nomination, highlighting the impact Perez has made.

This summer, Perez hosted more than 100 kids in Kansas City for a baseball clinic and gave each child a backpack with school supplies.

“He’s been very dedicated to the Kansas City community and kids have grown to love him and have grown to love the sport,” Donease Smith, executive director of the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy where the event was held.

The Salvador Perez Family Field is named in his honor. Perez donated $1 million to help with the academy’s construction. Kansas Christian College was practicing at the academy Monday.

“That’s who actually got me into catching and growing up I was 13 for the longest time because I looked at him as an idol,” catcher Gabe Murillo said.

He’s also idolized in his native country of Venezuela, where he’s helped feed 10,000 families.

“I always liked the way he played. I actually saw him play when he was in Venezuela,” Venezuelan-born KCC outfielder Manny Valenzuela said.

Perez is also member of Sarah’s Soldiers for ALS , and has partnered with Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer in Olathe .

“The list goes on and on it kind of goes behind the scenes because he’s not going to boast about it or anything that’s what makes him so special,” Bobby Witt Jr. said in the video produced by the Royals.

“They don’t know I do that because I don’t like when people see that,” a humble Perez said.

But even when he joins in a neighborhood wiffleball game ( which he did last month ) what you will see is Salvy’s smile, making a splash on and off the field.

Each team has a nominee, some of the other big names include Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Manny Machado. You can vote now through September 29 here .

The winner will be announced during the World Series.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.