David Robertson Honored With Roberto Clemente Nomination

Anyone who saw Roberto Clemente  play, or has studied his legacy, knows his dedication to helping others. They know the extraordinary significance of  The Roberto Clemente Award. The nominations are in, and this year’s New York Yankee nominee is David Robertson,  MLB announced on Monday.

Aug 30, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher

(30) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

After tornadoes ripped through Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2011, leaving residents shaken and the community in shambles, Robertson stepped up to the plate to help his friends and neighbors. He and his wife Erin created the High Socks For Hope Foundation to help those in need.

“Whether it’s buying mattresses or furniture, our main goal has been to get people back in their houses. Once their houses get built, they don’t have the money to go out and buy furniture. We can still go in and help those people out.”

But Robertson’s efforts in Alabama are only the start. After Hurricane Sandy hit, his organization provided support to families in New York and New Jersey. And they helped the residents of Moore, Oklahoma after a tornado hit there in May.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the families after, Robertson said. “These people lost everything, and it’s usually nine or ten months out after the disaster and they still don’t have the furniture that they lost. I’m not saying that we can get them everything, but we can get them some stuff.”

The voting for The Roberto Clemente Award takes place at chevybaseball.com. and goes until October 6. So go there and register your vote. This Friday, the Yankees are going to recognize Robertson for his nomination before the game with the San Francisco Giants.

In the heat of a pennant race, it is sometimes easy to lose focus on the most important things in life. Congratulations to Major League Baseball for giving back to the community, and congratulations to David Robertson for being the Yankees’ nominee.