ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price was named one of 30 nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award on Monday.
The Roberto Clemente Award honors Clemente's legacy by "recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others," according to a Rays release. Clemente, a former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder, died in an airplane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 en route to delivering supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Price started his charitable foundation, Project One Four, to support organizations that offer opportunities for youth to learn life skills in an enriching environment. Project One Four supports programs in the Tampa Bay region as well as in Nashville, Tenn.
Price created the Rays Dugout Club in 2010, an initiative focused on kids attending local summer recreation centers. He also has hosted a bowling event that benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters the past two springs.
"It's a team effort with the Rays coming to us, whether it's in spring training or years ago whenever I first came here with ideas to get involved with the community," Price said. "It's something that I talked to my parents about whenever I was a little kid. If I ever was in a position to be able to give back, it was something that I needed to look at doing. And it's something I enjoy doing, and I'm sure it's because my parents kind of instilled that in me at a young age."
In addition, Price partnered with the Ted Williams Museum the past two years to host "An Evening with David Price" at Tropicana Field. About 400 people and more than $40,000 were raised both years.
Fans can visit ChevyBaseball.com to vote for one of the 30 team nominees through Oct. 6.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
