The nominees for the prestigious 2024 Roberto Clemente Award were revealed on Monday, with each Major League Baseball team announcing their representative through an official press release. The award, named in honor of the legendary Roberto Clemente, highlights players who excel on the field and demonstrate remarkable philanthropy off it, embodying Clemente’s spirit and commitment to giving back.
In a standout announcement, the Atlanta Braves nominated Chris Sale, their ace pitcher, for the 2024 award. Known for his fierce competitiveness, Sale has also made a significant impact in the Atlanta community in just his first year with the Braves. Beyond his impressive performance, which has made him a frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award, Sale’s contributions off the field have captured hearts. According to MLB.com:
“Throughout the season, Sale has hosted deserving Braves fans in a private hospitality area at Truist Park, offering them a one-of-a-kind game day experience. Sale has welcomed families from organizations such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Miracle Network, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Camp Sunshine. Not only does he provide food and Braves gear, but he also spends time with these families, taking photos, signing autographs, and building personal connections. Sale was also a key figure in the Braves’ Lou Gehrig Day, a cause deeply personal to him due to the loss of his grandmother to ALS in 1995.”
Sale’s heartfelt reaction to the nomination quickly went viral, showcasing his deep gratitude and commitment to using his platform for good. He expressed how much it means to him to be recognized not just for his athletic ability, but for his dedication to the community.
As with every year, a league-wide winner will be determined during the World Series by a distinguished panel. Fans can also participate in the voting process for the Roberto Clemente Award through MLB’s website. The Braves have had past winners, including Phil Niekro (1980), Dale Murphy (1988), and John Smoltz (2005), leaving Sale in excellent company.
Here’s a look at the nominees for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award from each MLB team:
National League:
- Arizona: Paul Sewald
- Atlanta: Chris Sale
- Chicago: Patrick Wisdom
- Cincinnati: Brent Suter
- Colorado: Kyle Freeland
- Los Angeles: Mookie Betts
- Miami: Jesús Luzardo
- Milwaukee: Freddy Peralta
- New York: Francisco Lindor
- Philadelphia: Kyle Schwarber
- Pittsburgh: David Bednar
- San Diego: Manny Machado
- San Francisco: Mike Yastrzemski
- St. Louis: Paul Goldschmidt
- Washington: Josiah Gray
American League:
- Baltimore: James McCann
- Boston: Liam Hendriks
- Chicago: Andrew Vaughn
- Cleveland: Steven Kwan
- Detroit: Tarik Skubal
- Houston: Kyle Tucker
- Kansas City: Salvador Perez
- Los Angeles: Mike Trout
- Minnesota: Pablo López
- New York: Marcus Stroman
- Oakland: Mason Miller
- Seattle: J.P. Crawford
- Tampa Bay: Jason Adam
- Texas: Marcus Semien
- Toronto: Chris Bassitt
The winner will be revealed during the 2024 World Series, a fitting stage to honor the player who best represents the spirit of Roberto Clemente both on and off the field.
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