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09/13/2011 5:07 PM ET
Juan Pierre named White Sox nominee for the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet
Beginning on Roberto Clemente Day, Fans Can Vote for the National Award Recipient on ChevyBaseball.com/Clemente And Register for a Chance to Win a Trip to 2011 World Series
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Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, today announced that Juan Pierre was named the White Sox 2011 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Pierre is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. Tomorrow will mark the tenth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet.
The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. It is named for the 12-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Pierre began his own charitable cause, "Pierre's Pack," in 2003, to assist inner-city youths from different non-profit agencies. Six times a year, Pierre provides "Pack" members with transportation, food, drink, t-shirts and a suite to enjoy a White Sox game.
The outfielder also participates with the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program and serves as the White Sox RBI Honorary Team Captain, having spent time with and speaking to his teams prior to White Sox home games.
Pierre has participated in teams' fan festivals throughout his career, including SoxFest in January and Jackie Robinson Luncheon in April. In August, Pierre was part of Chicago's Bud Billiken Parade and he also attended the Paul Konerko and Gordon Beckham "Grand Slam Party," a fundraiser for Children's Home + Aid adoption agency. The outfielder also worked at a soup kitchen and participated in the Boys & Girls Club holiday party last December.
He will be recognized during in special ceremony tomorrow prior to the start of the White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers game at 1:10 p.m. CT.
"Juan truly embodies the mission of Chicago White Sox Charities and our community outreach initiatives," said Christine O'Reilly, White Sox senior director of community relations. "He has helped improved the improve the lives of so many inner-city kids by offering them opportunities they might not otherwise be able to afford."
"I am humbled to receive this nomination," said Pierre. "Roberto Clemente was a great man on and off-the field, and it is a true privilege to be considered for the Award named in his honor."
The distinguished list of national Roberto Clemente Award recipients includes 13 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame:
| 1971 - Willie Mays* | 1985 - Don Baylor | 1998 - Sammy Sosa |
| 1972 - Brooks Robinson* | 1986 - Garry Maddox | 1999 - Tony Gwynn* |
| 1973 - Al Kaline* | 1987 - Rick Sutcliffe | 2000 - Al Leiter |
| 1974 - Willie Stargell* | 1988 - Dale Murphy | 2001 - Curt Schilling |
| 1975 - Lou Brock* | 1989 - Gary Carter* | 2002 - Jim Thome |
| 1976 - Pete Rose | 1990 - Dave Stewart | 2003 - Jamie Moyer |
| 1977 - Rod Carew* | 1991 - Harold Reynolds | 2004 - Edgar Martinez |
| 1978 - Greg Luzinski | 1992 - Cal Ripken, Jr.* | 2005 - John Smoltz |
| 1979 - Andre Thornton | 1993 - Barry Larkin | 2006 - Carlos Delgado |
| 1980 - Phil Niekro* | 1994 - Dave Winfield* | 2007 - Craig Biggio |
| 1981 - Steve Garvey | 1995 - Ozzie Smith* | 2008 - Albert Pujols |
| 1982 - Ken Singleton | 1996 - Kirby Puckett* | 2009 - Derek Jeter |
| 1983 - Cecil Cooper | 1997 - Eric Davis | 2010 - Tim Wakefield |
| 1984 - Ron Guidry | | |
* Member of Baseball Hall of Fame
Beginning on Roberto Clemente Day, fans are encouraged to participate in the process of selecting the national award recipient by visiting www.chevybaseball.com/clemente, a site powered by MLB.com and created specifically for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet platform, to vote for one of the 30 Club nominees. Voting ends on October 9, and participating fans will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2011 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet will be announced.
The winner of the fan poll will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Commissioner Selig; Vera Clemente, MLB Goodwill Ambassador and wife of the late Hall of Famer; Baseball Hall of Famer, TBS analyst and former Roberto Clemente Award winner Cal Ripken Jr.; MLB Network analyst, TBS broadcaster and former Roberto Clemente Award winner John Smoltz; MLB Network analysts and former Roberto Clemente Award winners Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds; and MLB.com senior correspondent Hal Bodley.
All Clubs playing at home on September 14 will acknowledge their local nominees as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies, while visiting Clubs will honor their nominees before another September home game.
As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and the official dugout lineup cards.
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