Yankees: C.C. Sabathia nominated for Roberto Clemente Award

On Wednesday, veteran pitcher C.C. Sabathia was chosen as the Yankees nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.

Every year since 1973, each team in Major League Baseball have nominated one player for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. On Wednesday, the Yankees chose starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia as their nomination.

The annual Roberto Clemente Award is awarded to a player that shows tremendous character both on and off the field and provides positive contributions to their community.

Sabathia, an 18-year veteran, is not walking into anything new with all the recent work he has done for his local communities. Sabathia has been leading the PitCCh In Foundation since 2008 when he was still taking the mound for the Cleveland Indians.

Sabathia and his wife, Amber, work with the PitCCH In foundation in an effort to improve the lives of children located in inner cities. The Foundation runs three key programs to contribute to the community: the All-Star Baseball Clinic, the Backpack Program and Baseball Field Renovations.

More from Yankees News

• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• Michael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening Day
• No, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023
• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step

Sabathia started these programs not only to give back to the community but to ensure children will have the resources they need to succeed.

C.C. is in the midst of an up and down season, posting a 3.54 ERA in 25 starts over 134.2 innings. He is also closing in on the 3,000 strikeout milestone, only needing 30 more K’s to achieve the goal. With his decision on whether to play next year or not still up in the air, a nomination for this award is sure to be a highlight of this season, one that he should not take lightly.

If Sabathia were to win the award, he would become the fourth Yankee ever to receive the honor, joining Ron Guidry (1984), Don Baylor (1985) and Derek Jeter (2009).

Roberto Clemente is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1972 on his way to deliver resources for the victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. Clemente is known around baseball to be one of the best examples of character and class to look up to and is still admired by members of the game

Clemente is known around baseball as one of the most heroic examples of character and class — and is still admired by members of the game to this day. Every year, Major League Baseball honors Clemente by celebrating Roberto Clemente Day in September.

You can vote for Sabathia or any other candidate that you believe should receive this year’s award on MLB.com. The winner will be announced at this year’s edition of the World Series in October.