Clemente Award winners honored with permanent cap patch

This season marks 50 years since the tragic passing of 15-time All-Star and Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. Clemente’s enduring legacy as a great ballplayer and humanitarian is never far from the game, and the eight active players who have won the award named in Clemente’s honor will keep his memory very close to them for the rest of their careers.

Major League Baseball is planning to announce that the eight active Roberto Clemente Award recipients have accepted the option to wear a commemorative “21” patch on the back of their caps for the duration of their playing careers, beginning on Opening Day of the 2022 season.

Those eight players are Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco, Nationals designated hitter Nelson Cruz, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, Brewers outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols, Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo and Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright.

These players can also choose to wear a “21” sticker on the back of their batting helmets.

Previously, all players, managers and coaches wore a “21” patch on Sept. 15, which was established as Roberto Clemente Day in MLB in 2002. Last season, players born in Puerto Rico, uniformed personnel of Puerto Rican descent and Roberto Clemente Award nominees were allowed to wear a No. 21 jersey for the 20th annual Roberto Clemente Day.

The prestigious Roberto Clemente Award is bestowed annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.