ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright has been named the team's 2019 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. It could be back-to-back years that a Cards player would win the prominent individual player award bestowed by MLB, as Yadier Molina won it last year.
The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a player from each MLB Club who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
"Everything I’ve ever heard about Roberto Clemente was that as great of a player he was on the field, he was that great of a man and humanitarian off the field," said Wainwright. "He set the bar for all of us, and I just can’t think of a better compliment than to be nominated for his namesake award."
And Cardinals fans can help select Waino through online voting that begins on Sunday, Sept. 29 and runs until the end of the season. Go to mlb.com/clemente21 to learn more.
Previous Cardinals to win the Roberto Clemente Award include Molina (2018), Carlos Beltran (2013), Albert Pujols (2008), Ozzie Smith (1995) and Lou Brock (1975). The Cardinals are the only MLB team with five winners and Wainwright could add to that record. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets are the only teams with four winners.
Through Wainwright’s leadership, by the end of 2019, $4.5 million will have been raised by 150 players to benefit 60 charities.
This season, Wainwright created the ALL WIN fundraising campaign, with teammates and fans making pledges per win with a $10,000 match by the Cardinals, to provide healthy meals across the St. Louis region and to create an Ag-tech program at Normandy High School.
"Wainwright has shown his dedication to humanitarian efforts time and time again," said Michael Hall, Vice President, Community Relations & Executive Director, Cardinals Care. "We admire his worldwide efforts to help people in need. We are proud to have him as a member of the Cardinals."
The league-wide winner of the Roberto Clemente Award will be selected via a blue ribbon panel, including Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., representatives from MLB-affiliated networks (MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN and TBS) and MLB.com, as well as Vera Clemente (the late Roberto’s wife & MLB Goodwill Ambassador). The winner of the fan vote will count as one vote among those cast by the blue ribbon panel.