Who won Major League Baseball’s 2022 Roberto Clemente Award?

Baseball fans are eagerly waiting for Game 3 of the World Series, as it will break the 1-1 tie between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies. But before the first pitch, the league paid tribute to the winner of the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award- Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The honor is named after Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, who died in a plane crash while delivering supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Award recognizes qualities on and off the field

MLB gives the prize every year 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.”

The teams make the nominations, then the MLB commissioner, Clemente’s family, former players, media practitioners, and fans decide who the recipient will be.

Fifth time’s a charm

This is the fifth time that the Dodgers nominated their third baseman, who in 2016 founded the Justin Turner Foundation with his wife, Kourtney. The organization aids homeless veterans, people who are suffering from grave diseases, and baseball organizations for the youth.

Turner is also involved with the Dream Center, who renamed its food bank to the Justin and Kourtney Turner Food Bank, which feeds the hungry and the homeless.

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The 37-year-old is the third Dodgers player to receive the award, following Steve Garvey who won in 1981, and Clayton Kershaw who was honored 10 years ago.

For his contributions to Los Angeles, the L.A. City Council unanimously voted to declare Jan. 22 as “Justin Turner Day”. He has credited his wife for her support and her work in the community, and says that Kourtney is a big part of all he does.