Randy Wells has probably been the best starter for the Chicago Cubs this year, but there’s no doubt that Ted Lilly has been the anchor of the rotation. So the fact that his teammates nominated him for an award is no surprise.
But the cool thing is that this award is for performance on the field and for being a really awesome guy off the field.
Lilly’s teammates put him up for the Roberto Clemente award, which entertains one nominee from each team, with a focus on excellent baseball performance combined with devoted community work.
In his three seasons in the organization, Lilly has been active in the community. He works closely with Cubs Care and Chicago Cubs designated charities that support youth sports, children with special needs, victims of domestic violence and additional charities in the Lakeview/Wrigleyville community. His efforts have included visiting with patients at Children’s Memorial Hospital & University of Chicago Comer’s Children’s Hospital, helping to raise funds for the Sheil Park Playlot Renovation and visiting with children from the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois.
Lilly is also active in raising awareness and attending fundraising events for P.A.W.S. Chicago, the city’s largest no-kill humane organization focused on alleviating Chicago’s pet homelessness problem.
Additionally, Lilly has also sponsored an RBI team through the Union League Boys and Girls Club since 2007. RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities) Baseball is a youth outreach program designed to increase participation and interest in baseball and academics with inner-city youths. Lilly also has funded a charitable ticket program for disadvantaged youth. Throughout the season, he purchases approximately 500 tickets and provides $10 in Cubs Dollars to each of his guests so that they can enjoy lunch at the ballpark. Lilly invites the young people out to a game and meets with them during batting practice. Daily Herald.
Fans get the final say, as the vote takes place at chevy.com/clemente.
[...] Ted Lilly was nominated by his teammates for the Roberto Clemente award. This guy is a great baseball player and a great human being. His contract looked a bit bloated when they signed him but it has worked out perfectly. [Bleacher Nation] [...]
[...] a fluke. While Zambrano has been fading for a while and making a ruckus while doing so, Lilly was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award by his teammates. One player from each team is elected by his teammates for being a great player [...]