New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has been
named the 2009 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, bestowed upon the player
who combines outstanding play on the field with devoted work in the community.
Jeter, who hit .334 with 18 homers and 30 stolen bases this season while
becoming the Yankees' all-time hits leader, was selected from a list of 30
nominees, one from each team. A panel that included baseball commissioner Bud
Selig and Vera Clemente, widow of the award's namesake, selected Jeter as the
winner.
He received the award Thursday, prior to the start of Game 2 of the World
Series.
Jeter started the Turn 2 Foundation in 1996, and since its start the
foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants to create signature
programs that promote healthy and drug-free lifestyles among youth. Through
the programs, the foundation aims to provide outlets that encourage and reward
academic excellence, leadership development, and positive behavior.
The award was originally called The Commissioner's Award but was renamed in
1973 in honor of Clemente, who was killed in a plane crash on December 31,
1972 while helping transport relief supplies to Nicaragua, which had suffered
an earthquake on December 23 that killed more than 6,000 people.
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