Red Sox Brock Holt Nominated For Roberto Clemente Award

Boston Red Sox Brock Holt is nominated for Roberto Clemente Award for his work both on and off the diamond.

For the second consecutive year, Major League Baseball named Red Sox utility player Brock Holt a finalist for the Roberto Clemente Award – one of the MLB’s highest honors.

Named after the Hall-of-Fame right-fielder, the award is presented to “a player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” A player from each of the MLB’s thirty teams is nominated.

Holt received the nomination for his work with the Red Sox Foundation and, in particular, the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. For the past two years, Holt has served as a “Co-Captain” of the Jimmy Fund, where he attends and helps promote events.

He also serves as captain of Mass. General Hospital’s Home Base Program, an initiative that provides care for veterans and their families. In January, he received the Tim Wakefield Community Service Award at the annual Boston Baseball Writer’s dinner.

“ was my go-to guy this year in terms of everything. He never says no. He enjoys it,” Red Sox director of community and player relations Sarah Narracci said this January in a press release.

History of the Award

Since the award’s creation in 1971, two Red Sox players have been recipients. In 2010, Tim Wakefield received the award for his work with Pitching in for Kids – a non-profit that provides grants to improve the lives of New England children. And for his work with Space Coast Early Intervention Center – a non-profit therapeutic preschool program for children with special needs.

The following year, David Ortiz received the award for his founding of the David Ortiz Children’s Fund. The organization is “dedicated to raising funds to help provide children access to critical pediatric care in the Dominican and U.S. The DOCF formed an official partnership with the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children in 2009 to continue and extend its lifesaving mission in New England.”

Major League Baseball named the award after Clemente in 1973.  In 1972, Clemente died in a tragic plane-crash while attempting to deliver aid to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. Each year, the award honors the player who best exemplifies Clemente’s commitment to service. Last year, fellow Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen received the award.

Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?

The Red Sox will honor Holt’s nomination prior to their September 15 game against the Yankees at Fenway Park.