Luzardo proud to be Clemente Award nominee

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MIAMI -- As a kid, Jesús Luzardo attended a clinic where Marlins outfielder Juan Pierre taught the art of basestealing. It’s a memory that has stuck with Luzardo, who is now the Major Leaguer hosting his own events for aspiring ballplayers.

Raised in Parkland, Fla., Luzardo’s community efforts began when his baseball team at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School volunteered with the local Challenger League, an adaptive baseball program for kids with special needs and disabilities. To this day, Luzardo still lends his support, helping his father, Jesús, and Anthony Rizzo’s dad, John, when he can.

Since the Marlins acquired Luzardo from the A’s on July 28, 2021, he has been able to give back to his local community on a year-round basis through the Miami Marlins Foundation and the Jesús Luzardo Family Foundation, making him an easy choice as the Marlins’ nominee for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award. Considered baseball's most prestigious individual honor, it annually recognizes the MLB player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

Sept. 15 marked the 23rd annual Roberto Clemente Day. The league-wide celebration featured a special logo on bases and lineup cards, a “21” patch on jerseys and a tribute video that was played at ballparks. Each team’s Clemente Award nominee, including Luzardo, wore a No. 21 uniform. Since the Marlins were on the road, the organization honored Clemente and recognized Luzardo with a pregame ceremony on Sept. 18.

“I think it means a lot to me personally because of the community involvement, and I think that's something I take a lot of pride in, and just trying to do right,” said Luzardo, who visited the Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh during the club's September trip. “I'm not perfect, I'm not a saint or anything [like] that, but I do think that my parents raised me to try to help out [in] any way I can in areas where maybe people are in need, or people can't help themselves, or even if it's just lending them a word of encouragement -- whatever it might be. This award embodies that, and it's something I take a lot of pride in.”

Luzardo supports a wide range of causes and often incorporates his love of baseball. He hosts a free baseball clinic for local youth every January at his alma mater, and he also sponsors the Chris Hixon Foundation, which gives out 4-6 athletic scholarships annually in memory of the late athletic director.

The 26-year-old has participated in five Baseball Fantasy Camps for Kids through the Marlins Foundation over the last three seasons, providing kids with physical and intellectual challenges the opportunity to improve their skills by participating in a one-day clinic. This summer, Luzardo teamed up with the Marlins Foundation to host a free baseball clinic for individuals from the WOW Center Miami, an adult day training center that supports and serves those with developmental disabilities from Miami-Dade County.

Away from the diamond, Luzardo joined the Marlins Foundation on a visit to Camillus House, whose mission is to feed and provide housing to the homeless in Miami-Dade County. He and his family also stop by on their own time. And Luzardo has made appearances at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the University of Miami Health System’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“I feel like it hits home a little bit more,” Luzardo said. “I take a lot of pride in being involved in the community in general, wherever I am. But like you said, I think it does hit a little bit harder now that I'm home and able to go to places that I grew up going to, and I see a lot of myself in these kids.”

Luzardo’s philanthropy expanded earlier this year with the launch of the Jesús Luzardo Family Foundation -- with the help of his dad and mother, Monica. The nonprofit organization seeks to empower and uplift children from underserved local communities to help them reach their full potential.

In the pipeline is a local golf tournament in January. Proceeds will benefit Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and Arc Broward.

“That's a big thing I'm excited about,” Luzardo said. “[It’s] something charity-wise and also I'm a big golf fan, so I’m able to mix two things I feel passionate about, and keeping it close to home as well. I'm excited for a lot of opportunities in the future.”