Red Sox utility player Brock Holt is the team’s nominee for the league-wide Roberto Clemente Award. Holt is one of 30 finalists for the award.
The Roberto Clemente Award, given each year to the player “who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field,” is considered the “most prestigious individual” award given out by the league.
Holt has previously represented the Red Sox on three occasions, in 2015, 2016 and 2018.
Holt, who has served as Boston’s Jimmy Fund Captain for five straight seasons, was recognized on September 18th, Roberto Clemente Day at Fenway Park. In the photo he appears with Luis Roberto Clemente, son of the great legend who lost his life while on a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua on Dec 31st, 1972.
The league-wide winner will be selected from a panel comprised of commissioner Rob Manfred, representatives from MLB-affiliated networks, Vera Clemente and a fan vote.
Former Red Sox to win the league-wide award include Tim Wakefield (2010) and David Ortiz (2011). Holt will compete against the 29 other nominees, including ex-Red Sox Jon Lester (Cubs) and Pablo Sandoval (Giants) for this year’s honors.
On December 31, 1972, Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was 38 years old. The following season, the Pirates retired his uniform number 21, and MLB renamed its annual Commissioner’s Award in his honor; now known as the Roberto Clemente Award.
