Carl Crawford Named Tampa Bay Devil Rays Recipient of the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award, Presented by Chevrolet

09/05/2007, ST. PETERSBURG -- Carl Crawford today was named the Tampa Bay Devil Rays recipient of the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. He is now one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2007 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community. Today also marks the sixth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball in 2002 to honor the memory of Roberto Clemente and to officially recognize local Club recipients of the Roberto Clemente Award.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet, is part of the company's official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, and recognizes those players who best exemplify 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 was killed on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente's memory and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Crawford has directed his community efforts toward assisting youth baseball leagues. Working through the Rays Youth Field Renovation Program, Carl has provided financial support to rebuild the historic fields of West Tampa Little League where a number of major league players got their start. The project will be completed later this month with a field dedication on September 25. Carl will also conduct a clinic for the league's players next spring. The Houston, Texas native also sponsors two 9-and 10- year old teams in his hometown. That program will soon grow to four or five teams and includes plans to build a baseball complex for the youngsters.

For the first time, fans can participate in the selection process of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. From September 5 through October 5, 2007, fans can log on to mlb.com/chevy21 and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees. The fan vote winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans will automatically be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2007 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Chevrolet will be announced.

As the official sponsor of the Roberto Clemente Award, Chevrolet will donate $7,500 to the charity of choice of each of the 30 Club recipients. Crawford has selected the Buck O'Neill Education and Research Center in Kansas City, Missouri as his charity of choice. Chevrolet will also be making a $30,000 donation to the charity of choice of the national Roberto Clemente Award winner and a $30,000 contribution to Roberto Clemente Sports City in Puerto Rico.

Source: MLB

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