Fans Have Opportunity to Vote Online for the National Winner of Prestigious Award.
Curtis Granderson today was named the Detroit Tigers nominee for the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. He is one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2009 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines exceptional performance on the baseball field with devoted work in the community.
Tomorrow will mark the eighth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor the legacy of Roberto Clemente. Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. From September 2 through October 4, 2009, fans can log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees.
The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy, is part of Chevy’s official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, and recognizes those players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award is named for Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente’s legacy and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.
As the son of two educators and a graduate of the University of Illinois-Chicago, Granderson is committed to making education the focal point of his message to the world’s youth. It is his passion, principles and vision that lead to the creation of the Grand Kids Foundation. In addition to founding and serving on the board of this charitable organization, Granderson attends fundraisers throughout the year to raise funds supporting the cause of the organization.
Granderson’s compassion for working with youth extends beyond the classroom as he continues to share his enthusiasm of the game with baseball fans around the world. Since the inception of Play Baseball Detroit in 2008, he has visited more than 1,400 youth in the city of Detroit encouraging all to get involved or stay involved with organized youth baseball. Play Baseball Detroit is a comprehensive urban youth baseball outreach program dedicated to encouraging and supporting youth baseball and softball.
Granderson will be recognized for his nomination during an on-field, pregame ceremony prior to the Tigers 7:05 p.m. game on Wednesday, September 2 at Comerica Park.
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