Annually, the Roberto Clemente Award is given to the Major League Baseball Player who “who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”
Each of MLB’s 30 clubs has a nominee for the award, which is, in its own way, a special honor. This year, the Cubs’ nominee is Jason Heyward:
Since joining the Cubs, Jason Heyward has contributed more than $95,000 to fellow Cubs player foundations and community efforts, demonstrating his commitment to his teammates. In addition, he has donated to multiple community organizations that work with youth and families in under-resourced communities in Chicago. One organization that he has worked closely with is Future Ties, a nonprofit on the South Side of Chicago which supports low-income families through summer and after-school programs and helps parents build life skills, escape domestic violence and mentor young people in the community. Most recently, when the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted low-income communities in Chicago, Jason contributed $300,000 to nonprofit organizations that were addressing the severe inequities across Chicago.
There are many Cubs you could compliment this year for many reasons, but it’s hard to argue with Jason Heyward being a tremendous example for good in 2020, on and off the field.