Press release: Salvador Perez Named Recipient of the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One

NEW YORK, NY -- Catcher and Captain of the Kansas City Royals Salvador Perez has been named the 2024 recipient of Baseball’s most prestigious individual player honor – the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One. Perez was nominated by the Royals for his extraordinary efforts to build healthy and active communities in his native Valencia, Venezuela, his baseball home of Kansas City, and beyond. Perez, the first-ever member of the Royals to receive the honor, will be formally presented with the Roberto Clemente Award during a pregame press conference at Yankee Stadium before tonight’s Game Three of the World Series presented by Capital One.

Perez – the fourth captain in Royals history, a nine-time MLB All-Star and World Series MVP – has made meaningful humanitarian contributions, creating opportunities and better outcomes for the less fortunate in the following ways:

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field. The concept of honoring Major League players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award.” It was renamed to the “Roberto Clemente Award” in 1973 to honor the Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Perez was selected from a list of 30 Club nominees by a distinguished panel that included Commissioner Manfred, Roberto Clemente’s children – Enrique, Luis and Roberto Jr., former players (including former Roberto Clemente Award winners), and journalists from MLB-affiliated network & media partners – MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN, TBS and MLB.com. Additionally, each year, fans are given the chance to vote via MLBTogether.com/clementeaward. Perez was recognized as a nominee on Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One, which was held on September 15th throughout Major League Baseball. Each September since 2002, Major League Baseball has commemorated Roberto Clemente Day to recognize Clemente Award nominees and celebrate the Hall of Famer’s unforgettable legacy.

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