By Kai Youngren ‘19 and Kaleb Youngren ‘21, Staff Writers

Keeping with the theme of inspirational figures, on October 25, 2014, Jimmy Rollins and Paul Konerko were honored with the Roberto Clemente Award.  This prestigious award is bestowed annually on the most upstanding and honorable Major League Baseball players.  To win this award, not only does it take great skills and talent for playing baseball, but a good heart, selflessness, and a desire to revive the hope of the poor, abused, and sick.  Every year the MLB elects one winner, however, this year was an exception. This year is only year where two players shared the award.

Roberto Clemente, the monumental baseball player for whom this award is named after, was a leader on the field and off of it. He lead the National League in batting four times, became the first Hispanic to reach 3,000 hits, and won the Golden Glove Award 12 years in a row playing right field. He was a leader and inspiration off the field also, standing up for minority rights, creating baseball clinics for the poor, and even aiding Latin American countries in need.  Unfortunately in 1972, he died in a plane crash while on his way to bring supplies to survivors in a Nicaraguan earthquake (Biography.com).  Roberto Clemente’s death shook the world, and immediately this legend and hero was inducted into the Hall Of Fame and was immortalized by the annual award.

Jimmy Rollins, shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies, and Paul Konerko, first baseman for the White Sox, are definitely qualified for the honor.  Paul and his friend, Jim Thome, founded the Bring Me Home Foundation in 2006 (Baer).  As the name implies, the charity raises awareness for abandoned children and supports foster care.  The Bring Me Home Foundation raised $450,000 dollars in its first seven years and continues to help over a thousand Illinois foster kids. (Bring Me Home Foundation).  Paul Konerko is the first White Sox player to win the award.

Jimmy Rollins and his wife, Johari, created two foundations, The Rollins Family Foundation, and The Johari & Jimmy Rollins Center for Animal Rehabilitation, as well as fund the BaseBOWL Tournament for arthritis.  His three charities work together to improve human society, but also the well-being of  animals.  The Johari & Jimmy Rollins Center for Animal Rehabilitation foundation raises awareness of animal cruelty and finds animals safe homes.  The Rollins Family Foundation provides food to the hungry and the BASEbowl Tournament raises money for juvenile arthritis.

Evidently, these two role models receiving the award are very respectable and generous.  Rollins and Konerko are taking time out of their seasons and spending their money to benefit and fulfill their self-given duties.  Their mindset and courage are admirable traits, which should be mimicked and valued by everybody.  Remember, you don’t have to just be a baseball player to do good. Anybody can have the power to become respectable and honorable like them.

Works Cited

Baer, Bill. “Roberto Clemente Award.” 24 10 2014. hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. 25 10 2014 <http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/24/paul-konerko-jimmy-rollins-named-co-winners-of-the-roberto-clemente-award/related/>.

Biography.com. “Roberto Clemente- Biography- Baseball Player- Biography.com.” 2014. biography.com. 25 10 2014 <http://www.biography.com/people/roberto-clemente-9250805#synopsis>.

Bring Me Home Foundation. “Bring Me Home- Children’s Home + Aid.” 2007. childrenshomeandaid.org. 25 10 2014 <http://www.childrenshomeandaid.org/bringmehome>.