<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2SxXRj_0wQ3nhah00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2SxXRj_0wQ3nhah00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>The Roberto Clemente Award honors the individual who best exemplifies humanitarian efforts in and around the community and beyond to help others.The 2024 recipient is Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, a native of Valencia, Venezuela. Commemorated in honor of Pittsburgh Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, the award recognizes Clemente’s love of others, kindness to those in need, and true meaning to Pittsburgh and Latin Americans everywhere.Clemente died on New Year’s Eve 1972 in a plane crash while delivering supplies and relief efforts to earthquake-ravaged Nicaragua. He was only 38 years old.“When we do something, we do it because it’s coming from my heart,” Perez told ESPN about his humanitarism. “I don’t like to do things because somebody asks me to do it. When I sit with my mom and want to do something, we just do. We don’t have to post anything on social media. I don’t like that. If I do, I do it for my heart.”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><a href="https://t.co/ys1KLjGOrt">pic.twitter.com/ys1KLjGOrt</a>— Salvador Perez (@SalvadorPerez15) <a href="https://twitter.com/SalvadorPerez15/status/1850953927862211021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>Perez and Kansas City played in Pittsburgh on Clemente Day this season. The Royals captain honored “The Great One” by donning a large “21” on his catcher’s gear and later donated it to the Clemente Museum. <blockquote>“I’ve read a lot [about] Roberto Clemente. I know he was an amazing player, but he was even better outside the field,” Perez said. “So that made him super special and made this award super special.”</blockquote>Perez actively volunteers and assists people in Columbia and Venezuela who are struggling with food insecurity and has helped more than 10,000 families in Valencia. Perez also owns a youth baseball league benefitting over 200 athletes who want to follow their dreams. Even with a decorated career, many players view the Clemente Award as the best one they will ever earn, similar to the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in the NFL.Perez, 34, is a nine-time All-Star, has won five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and MVP of the 2015 World Series. He hit 27 home runs and drove in 104 during an impressive 158 games as MLB’s most grueling position. Perez assists with Kansas City’s Urban Youth Academy, childhood cancer operations, and ALS organizations. His goal is to give back the best way he can to provide a better life for those around him. Perez will be honored before Game 3 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees in New York.Arguably the greatest baseball player and most beloved baseball player Pittsburgh has ever seen, Clemente played 18 seasons in Pittsburgh. Despite totaling 3,000 hits, 15 All-Star appearances, 12 Gold Gloves, four batting titles, the 1966 MVP Award, and two World Series, Clemente is most known for his humanitarianism and great heart.In 2002, 30 years after his death, MLB named September 15 as Clemente Day throughout the sport. The Pirates all wear No. 21, and any player of his choosing can wear the number on that day to commemorate Clemente.All 30 teams nominate one of their players for the recognition. The Pirates nominated David Bednar for the honor for his work with Pirates Charities and the Miricle League of South Hills. Andrew McCutchen won the award in 2015.Perez embodies everything it means to win the Clemente Award and has the respect of his peers as a great ambassador for baseball. He represents KC, sports, and his community with dignity and respect. Clemente would be proud.</div></body>

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Royals catcher Salvador Perez wins 2024 Roberto Clemente Award

The Roberto Clemente Award honors the individual who best exemplifies humanitarian efforts in and around the community and beyond to help others. The 2024 recipient is Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, a native of Valencia, Venezuela. Commemorated in honor of Pittsburgh Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, the award recognizes Clemente’s love of others, kindness to those in need, and true meaning to Pittsburgh and Latin Americans everywhere.