Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs is the winner of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award 2017. The First Baseman was awarded prior to game 3 of the World Series in the minute Maid Park of Houston.
The Clemente Award is given annually to the player who best represents baseball through exceptional character, social commitment, philanthropy and a positive contribution on and off the pitch. The name giver of the award, Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente, stood for his great commitment, especially in Latin America and his native Puerto Rico.
Rizzo explained that he really wanted this award, because it means helping to change lives “When I learned about it, it was really emotional for everyone involved in the Foundation and in my life. Baseball is my passion. I love playing baseball. I want to be the best that can be, but being able to reach so many different people on a different level, I will never overlook.”
The 28-year-old was nominated for the award five times. His Rizzo Family Foundation has so far raised four million dollars over the years to help families of cancer patients. Rizzo himself was once suffering from cancer.
“Visiting hospitals motivates me. They see the looks in the faces of the children. It gives you a few seconds of distraction from the reality they are going through when I visit them,”Rizzo said at a press conference.
This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.