Miguel Cabrera Named Florida Marlins' Recipient of the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award, Presented by Chevrolet

By admin - Posted on September 12th, 2007

09/10/2007, MIAMI -- Miguel Cabrera today was named the Florida Marlins' 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.

Miguel Cabrera has been associated with the Florida Community Foundation (FMCF) since his call-up in June, 2003. In 2007, Miguel donated $10,000 to the FMCF. He also donates his personal time to raise funds through appearances and constantly attends fundraising events.

A portion of Miguel's donations is directed toward the funding of the Miguel Cabrera Coach Pitch League. The League is run in conjunction with the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department and concentrates it's focus at 10 inner-city parks. The League ensures that kids that begin playing in the Dontrelle Willis T-Ball League are able to make the natural progression to Coach Pitch. Miguel's donation guarantees that these kids receive the proper equipment and tools necessary to play the game. Miguel also serves as an official spokesperson for the Marlins@School program.

Miguel Cabrera is also involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, spending time with Make-A-Wish kids at the ballpark. He is incredibly attentive to the children, and he definitely makes them feel like they are the most important person in his world for that moment in time. Miguel's youthful exuberance is evident as he is always willing to take a few moments to spend with kids. He is fully aware and understands that kids are the future of the sport he loves, and he dedicates to engage youth and create an everlasting bond.

Cabrera's deep commitment to help sick children from around the world has made him also choose the International Kids Fund (IKF) as his charity of choice. Recently, the slugger presented to IKF's executive director, María Luisa Chea, a donation of the $7,500 awarded to him as a Roberto Clemente Award candidate. "The IKF is such a worthy cause and helps so many children I want to make a contribution that can, in some way, assist at least one child achieve his or her dreams just like I had the opportunity to achieve mine," said Cabrera.

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. 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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