MIAMI – The Miami Marlins and Major League Baseball announced today that Marlins pitcher Jesús Luzardo has been named the club’s 2024 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One, baseball’s most prestigious honor for Major Leaguers. The award 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.

As part of the annual program, each MLB Club nominates one player to be considered for the league-wide award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character. Since joining the Marlins in 2021, Luzardo has demonstrated a deep-rooted passion for representing his hometown on the field and in the community.

He is a staple of Miami Marlins Foundation events, regularly participating in Baseball Fantasy Camps for Kids, visiting children’s hospitals, and more. A graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Luzardo hosts a free baseball clinic for local youth at his former school every year before the season begins. Earlier this year, he launched the Luzardo Family Foundation to empower and uplift children from underserved communities while helping them reach their full potential.

Through his selfless actions and dedication to serving the South Florida community, Luzardo has cemented himself as a true hometown hero. Fans can vote for Luzardo in the league-wide vote at MLBTogether.com/clementeaward (in both English and Spanish). Voting will remain open until Sunday, September 29.

Sunday, September 15 marks the 23^rd annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy as a humanitarian and to formally acknowledge Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. Since the Marlins will be on the road on that day, the organization will honor Clemente and recognize Luzardo with an on-field pre-game ceremony on Wednesday, September 18.

The concept of honoring Major League players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award.” The recognition was renamed to the “Roberto Clemente Award” in 1973 as tribute to Clemente following his passing while delivering relief supplies for earthquake victims in Nicaragua on December 31, 1972.