Besides Drugs and Greed in Baseball Is Charity Involvement by Some Players

Major league baseball hands out numerous awards for outstanding performance on the field. Baseball also recognizes player performance off the field.

Long after all the major awards--the Cy Young, Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year--are given out, another honor, often overlooked, is bestowed upon a major leaguer. It is the Roberto Clemente Award.

The Clemente Award, named for the late Hall of Fame outfielder, is based on sportsmanship, character, community involvement, humanitarianism, playing ability and an individual’s contributions to his team and baseball.

The winner of the 16th Clemente Award will be announced at this year’s All-Star Game in Houston.

After a year marred by the drug trials in Pittsburgh, player image has deteriorated somewhat in the eyes of the fans. Some players are seen as spoiled, egotistical millionaires.

But there are other players whose lives don’t begin and end at the ballpark. Many give of themselves to their communities, whether it be their time, name or money.

Roberto Clemente was one of those players. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfielder cared about people and he gave his life for them. On Dec 31, 1972, Clemente died in an airplane crash while on a mercy mission to earthquake stricken Nicaragua. He is remembered as much today for his humanitarian efforts as for his accomplishments on the field.

Current players have followed in Clemente’s footsteps, trying to help the less fortunate.

Gary Carter, the catcher for the New York Mets, last spring was named the first honorary sports chairman of The Leukemia Society of America. He has helped raise funds for the society’s programs of world-wide research, patient assistance, public and professional education, and community service.

Carter’s batterymate, pitcher Ron Darling, recently became involved in a drug awareness program for youngsters. Mets outfielder George Foster funds the George Foster Home for Children in Dayton, Ohio.

New York’s other team, the Yankees, also boasts some dedicated community servants. Dave Winfield established the Dave Winfield Foundation, which has helped youngsters, people in old age homes and clinics all over the country.

Don Baylor the 1985 Clemente Award winner, is the National Sports Chairman for Cystic Fibrosis. Partly through his efforts, the ’65 Roses’ Sports Clubs were created and $1.5 million was raised for Cystic Fibrosis in 1984.

“When I first started, not too many people knew very much about Cystic Fibrosis,” Baylor said. “I have helped them gain an awareness about C-F and what it does to children. Many major leaguers have gotten involved. I’m especially proud of the fact that all 26 teams have ’65 Roses’ Clubs, which give baseball a special role in fighting the illness.”