Paul Goldschmidt nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
Sep 17, 2014, 1:35 AM | Updated: 1:36 am
Major League Baseball has announced that Paul Goldschmidt is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2014 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.
The award recognizes the MLB player who, through positive contributions to the game and society, best represents baseball. Goldschmidt is joined by 29 other nominees, one from each of the other MLB teams, as each club nominates a player to pay tribute to Roberto Clemente’s achievements and character.
“I am honored to be named the D-backs’ Roberto Clemente nominee,” said Goldschmidt in a statement. “Roberto was a tremendous community ambassador on and off the field, and I am grateful to be considered for the Award named in his honor.”
Goldschmidt has been dubbed “America’s First Baseman” by his teammates, and the 27-year-old has delivered for the Diamondbacks through his play and off-field efforts within the Arizona community.
The first-baseman launched Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids this year, a foundation to help families at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where he and his wife, Amy, spend time vising children. The program has already raised $25,000 this year due to a limited-edition Goldschmidt Bleacher Creature plush doll that was made available to fans with a $44 donation.
Goldshmidt has also worked with the University of Phoenix after he and his wife graduated from the school in 2013. The couple personally chose three finalists to receive full-tuition scholarships for the school, awarding the students at a recent D-backs game.
“Paul is a great role model in every way and continues to be a leader both on the field and off the field,” said Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall. “His selfless attitude and genuine passion to help others is admirable. He represents what it means to be a D-back in every aspect.”
If Goldshmidt were to win, he would join Curt Schilling, who was awarded in 2001, as the only Diamondbacks to receive the honor.
All MLB clubs that are playing at home on Wednesday, Sept. 17 will recognize their local nominees for the 13th Annual Roberto Clemente Day, while road teams on that day will honor their nominees before another September home game. The Diamondbacks are at home against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 17.
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