Release from MLB

THIRTEEN 2009 MLB ALL-STARS AMONG FINALISTS FOR THE
ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHEVY

30 Club Nominees Announced for Award Recognizing Community Service Excellence

Major League Baseball and Chevy, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, today announced the names of the 30 Club nominees, including 13 MLB All-Stars, who are finalists for the prestigious 2009 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. The award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field. Tomorrow will mark the eighth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy and to officially recognize local Club recipients of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy is named for the 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The award perpetuates Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Fans can once again participate in the selection process of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. From September 2 through October 4, fans are encouraged to log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees.

“I would like to congratulate and thank each of the Club nominees for the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award for their exceptional play on the field and dedication to their local communities,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “Major League Baseball and Chevy have continued this joint partnership in honoring Roberto Clemente, one of the game’s greatest players and a remarkable humanitarian. It is a great achievement for these players representing each of the 30 Major League Baseball Clubs to be mentioned alongside Roberto Clemente. I commend all of the nominees for representing Major League Baseball with honor and embodying our game's commitment to its communities.”

“Chevrolet is proud to share in the spirit of community, and carrying forward the legacy that Roberto Clemente established,” said Kim Kosak, General Director, Chevrolet Advertising and Sales Promotion. “We look forward to partnering with baseball fans everywhere in honoring these athletes who display great commitment on the field, but also in their respective communities.”

The 30 Club recipients of the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy feature 13 players selected for the 2009 All-Star Game:


Arizona Diamondbacks – Eric Byrnes
Milwaukee Brewers – Jeff Suppan
Atlanta Braves – Tim Hudson
Minnesota Twins – Joe Mauer*
Baltimore Orioles – Nick Markakis
New York Mets – Johan Santana*
Boston Red Sox – Kevin Youkilis*
New York Yankees – Derek Jeter*
Chicago Cubs – Ted Lilly*
Oakland Athletics – Kurt Suzuki
Chicago White Sox – Paul Konerko
Philadelphia Phillies – Cole Hamels
Cincinnati Reds – Aaron Harang
Pittsburgh Pirates – Paul Maholm
Cleveland Indians – Jhonny Peralta
St. Louis Cardinals – Albert Pujols*
Colorado Rockies – Aaron Cook
San Diego Padres – Adrian Gonzalez*
Detroit Tigers – Curtis Granderson*
San Francisco Giants – Barry Zito
Florida Marlins – Hanley Ramirez*
Seattle Mariners – Miguel Batista
Houston Astros – Hunter Pence*
Tampa Bay Rays – James Shields
Kansas City Royals – Mark Teahen
Texas Rangers – Michael Young*
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – Torii Hunter*
Toronto Blue Jays – Vernon Wells
Los Angeles Dodgers – Orlando Hudson*
Washington Nationals – John Lannan

*2009 MLB All-Star

The winner of the fan poll will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Commissioner Selig. Participating fans will also be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2009 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced.

All Clubs playing at home on September 2 will acknowledge their local recipients as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies. Visiting Clubs will honor their local Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy recipient during an upcoming homestand. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and the official dugout lineup cards. MLB celebrates Roberto Clemente Day as part of its broader “MLB Going Beyond” platform, an initiative that strives to integrate community service and the importance of giving back.