New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor received the Roberto Clemente Award and showed up to Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night in a Ferragamo tuxedo to accept it. "We have been doing work without trying to be recognized, and here we are," said the five-time All-Star, who became the fifth Puerto Rican-heritage winner of the honor, after Edgar Martínez (2004), Carlos Delgado (2006), Carlos Beltrán (2013) and Yadier Molina (2018).
"We have been doing work without trying to be recognized, and here we are,"
"I used to watch them and try to follow their footsteps," said Lindor, seated next to his wife Katia. The couple have worked with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the SEEN Foundation, Special Olympics Florida and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Lindor donated to relief efforts in Puerto Rico after hurricanes María and Fiona, restored sports facilities in his hometown of Caguas, and gave more than $1 million to build Lindor Hall at Montverde Academy in Florida, from which he graduated.
He also launched a leadership initiative, Lindor’s Leaders, for sports medicine students at Bayside High School in New York, and funded backpacks and school supplies in Queens, where Citi Field sits. "Wherever we see a need, we will go and help," he said. The award honors a Major League player for character, community involvement, philanthropy and contributions on and off the field.
Clemente, a 15-time All-Star, died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while delivering earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua.