Cincinnati Reds' Aaron Harang Named Recipient of the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award

09/05/2007 -- Pitcher Aaron Harang today was named the Cincinnati Reds' recipient of the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. He is one of 30 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 active players who truly understand the value of helping others.

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As the official sponsor of the Roberto Clemente Award, Chevrolet, on behalf of Harang, will donate $7,500 to the Reds Community Fund. Harang will match Chevrolet's donation to the Reds' Community Fund, with that additional $7,500 earmarked for the Miracle League of Cincinnati. Chevrolet also will make 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.

"(Wife) Jen and I thank Chevrolet for its donation to the Community Fund," Harang said. "We believe in the Reds' continued efforts toward helping the local community, and we particularly support the Miracle League of Cincinnati."

Harang is a strong supporter of the Reds Community Fund and its causes. In 2007, he debuted his Aaron's Aces ticket program to benefit the families of our soldiers fighting in the war on terrorism and participated in the Shop With A Jock program presented by Dick's Sporting Goods. This season he volunteered to be the first captain of Red Heads, the official kids club of the Reds. Harang is active in the organization's Make-A-Wish program and has participated in various Reds Community Fund fundraisers, including Baseball 101 Luncheon For Ladies. For the 2007 Father's Day issue of Cincinnati Woman Magazine, Aaron and wife Jen appeared on the cover as the lead story promoting their roles as parents.

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.

Source: MLB