Every year, each team nominates a player for the Roberto Clemente Award. For the 2024 season, the Diamondbacks nominee is relief pitcher Paul Sewald.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Sewald published a tweet in response to his nomination.
I am honored to be named the @dbacks nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. A man who put his own safety at risk to help those in crisis and a true humanitarian. @mollysewald & I are proud of our work in the community w/ @childcrisisaz and even more grateful for the recognition! pic.twitter.com/hEhRJ0e9XU
— Paul Sewald (@ItsPaulSewald) September 9, 2024
From MLB, the 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. Clemente tragically passed away in 1972 trying to give aid to an earthquake-ravaged Nicaragua. Originally named the Commissioner’s Award when it debuted in 1971, it was changed to the Roberto Clemente Award after his death to best honor the life and career of one of baseball’s best players and humans.
Through his Sewald Strikeouts 4 Kids program, partnering with Child Crisis Arizona, he has pledged to donate $1,000 per strikeout with the Diamondbacks matching the donation. The Diamondbacks reliever has 43 strikeouts on the season. So far this season, he has raised over $80,000 for Child Crisis Arizona. In addition to providing a financial contribution, he also spends time at the facility and running supply drives.
It’s been a tough season for the former closer, who was just about perfect through the month of June. A terrible July in which he converted only half of his 10 save opportunities, resulted in him being removed from the role. The Diamondbacks have mostly utilized him in low-leverage situations, although manager Torey Lovullo has insisted throughout the past six weeks the best version of their bullpen involves him being the closer.
People can vote for the 30 nominees here through September 29. The winner of the fan vote will account for one vote on the blue-ribbon panel that decides the winner of the award. The winner will be announced during the 2024 World Series.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
