- LOUIS, Mo., September 9, 2024 – For the ninth time in his career, Paul Goldschmidt has been named his team’s nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One. The award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
As part of the annual program, each MLB Club nominates one player to be considered for the league-wide Award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.
“I hear the name Roberto Clemente and think of all he did not only on the field, but off the field,” said Goldschmidt. “His humanitarian efforts across the globe are inspirational and I am honored to represent the St. Louis Cardinals again as this year’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee.”
Paul Goldschmidt continues to prove he is an athlete of extraordinary character on and off the field. His philanthropic efforts are numerous and far-reaching. Paul has provided ongoing support for a wide array of charitable causes during his career. His 2024 efforts include:
- Partnering with Cardinals Care, the Gateway Region YMCA and Boniface Foundation, to unveiled the Paul Goldschmidt Miracle League Field at the new YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex on the campus of the South County YMCA. The field provides a cushioned, barrier-free surface and dugout to provide accessibility for players with disabilities. Paul has been a strong supporter of Cardinals Care during his time with the team.
- Supporting ALS research and patients by providing autographed baseballs to the ALS Association in St. Louis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association to support their fundraising efforts. During the award ceremony, where he was awarded with the 2023 Lou Gehrig Award sponsored by the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity, Paul presented John Ceriotti, an ALS patient, with a custom St. Louis Cardinals Permobil wheelchair that will provide John the independence he needs and deserves. Phi Delta Theta presents the award annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, who was a member of the Fraternity’s Columbia University chapter.
- Annual financial contributions and signing of memorabilia used for Silent Auctions help support the flagship Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball/softball program for children aged 5-13, as well as the charity’s Grant and Youth Ballfield programs. Paul annually attends the Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up signing autographs for fans who donated to Cardinals Care.
- Hosting a yearly free baseball clinic for area Little League players and Redbird Rookies participants to help teach skills to young athletes, and to encourage parents and coaches to have a healthy attitude toward youth sports.
- Providing tickets and pregame meet and greet opportunities to dozens of deserving youth organizations through his Play Ticket Program, Goldy’s Golden Ticket.
- Continuing to support Big League Impact (BLI) by participating in several fundraising initiatives and the charity’s MISSION 3:18 initiative, which empowers MLB players to give back during road series with one-day service opportunities that promote positive change in the communities they visit throughout the baseball season. To date, Paul has raised over $150,000 through the #ALLWIN campaign, pledging dollars for causes close to his heart including Food for the Hungry, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis, an organization that provides an opportunity for families living in substandard rental housing to help build and then purchase a home they can afford to maintain, and The Little Bit Foundation, a local nonprofit that aims to empower students to achieve their academic goals and dreams for the future by breaking down barriers to learning for students living in poverty.
- Supporting Water Mission, a nonprofit, Christian engineering organization that designs, builds and implements safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions for people in developing countries and disaster areas. Starting in 2022, Paul and his wife Amy, have hosted Uncork for a Cause, an annual gala benefiting. Over $300,000 has been raised over the past three years to fund projects that build long-term, sustainable safe water systems impacting 6,000 people.
- Supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Angels’ Arms, Covenant House, KEEN St. Louis, and Lydia’s House through various Cardinals Family Initiatives.
“Paul Goldschmidt is truly an athlete of extraordinary character both on and off the field,” said Michael Hall, Vice President, Community Relations & Executive Director, Cardinals Care. “We admire his far-reaching and numerous efforts to help people in need, and are proud to have him as a member of the Cardinals.”
Sunday, September 15th marks the annual Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy as a humanitarian and to formally acknowledge Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and official dugout lineup cards and a customized tribute video to Clemente and the 30 Roberto Clemente Award nominees will be shown in all MLB ballparks on Roberto Clemente Day as well as on MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.tv, Club sites and MLB Social Media Platforms.
The league-wide winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One will be honored at the 2024 World Series following selection by a blue-ribbon panel. This panel includes representatives from the Commissioner’s Office, Capital One, MLB-affiliated networks (MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN and TBS), MLB.com, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as Roberto’s children, Enrique, Luis and Roberto Clemente, Jr. Beginning today, fans can vote for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One via MLBTogether.com/clementeaward (in both English and Spanish). The site, which will feature bios of each of the nominees, will allow fans to vote until the end of the season on Sunday, September 29th. The winner of the fan vote will count as one vote among those cast by the blue-ribbon panel.
The concept of honoring Major League players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award.” The recognition was renamed to the “Roberto Clemente Award” in 1973 as tribute to Clemente following his passing while delivering relief supplies for earthquake victims in Nicaragua on December 31, 1972.
Previous Cardinals to win the Roberto Clemente Award include Adam Wainwright (2020), Yadier Molina (2018), Carlos Beltran (2013), Albert Pujols (2008), Ozzie Smith (1995) and Lou Brock (1975), the most of any MLB Club. More information and award nominees for all 30 MLB teams can be found at MLBTogether.com/clementeaward.
— STL —
