Pirates Centerfielder Andrew McCutchen was named the winner of the 2015 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet before Game 3 of the World Series at Citi Field Friday, an honor named after the iconic Pirates outfielder for his positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. McCutchen is the second Pirates player to win the Clemente Award; the first was Willie Stargell in 1974. The award is a tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character, as well as a recognition of those who reflect them today.
McCutchen, 29, was selected from a list of 30 nominees — one from each club — by a panel of dignitaries that included Commissioner Rob Manfred and Vera Clemente, the wife of Roberto and an MLB Goodwill Ambassador.
McCutchen is actively involved with a number of community and nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh and in Bradenton, Fla., the Pirates’ Spring Training home. He and Pirates Charities founded “Cutch’s Crew,” his signature program, in 2010 to mentor Pittsburgh’s inner-city youth baseball players and at-risk children. He also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, the Light of Life Rescue Mission and Habitat for Humanity, among others.
Several times this season, from McKechnie Field in Bradenton to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, McCutchen welcomed children from the Make-A Wish Foundation to spend the day with him. When he cut off his signature dreadlocks this spring, he auctioned them off and gave the proceeds to charity. This week, he provided Halloween costumes for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh so they could go trick-or-treating.
McCutchen flew to New York City on Friday to accept the award. Before heading to the ballpark, however, he and Manfred visited patients in a cancer ward at Mount Sinai Hospital.
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