Washington Nationals' Josh Willingham Nominated As Finalist For Roberto Clemente Award.
by Patrick Reddington on Sep 8, 2010 8:36 AM EDT
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Tuesday afternoon it was announced that Washington Nationals' outfielder Josh Willingham was nominated as one of 30 (one from each MLB team) finalists for the Roberto Clemente Award, "...which is given every year to a baseball player to recognize his community service efforts." The Nats announced Willingham's nomination in a press release that further explained what the award recognized:
"The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recognizes players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their clubs. The award is named for the 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The award pays tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing talented current players who truly understand the value of helping others."
Willingham and his wife, (according again to the press release), established "The Josh Willingham Foundation" [which] is committed to providing life-changing opportunities and experiences to underserved children in the communities in which the couple has lived throughout Josh’s career, primarily focusing on their hometown of Florence, Alabama. The foundation’s first project, for instance, involved building a public playground in Florence. Since its inception, Willingham has been actively involved in the organization and hosted the first major fundraiser – a charity golf tournament in Alabama – in the fall of 2009."
Nats' team President Stan Kasten said the Nationals, "...are proud to have Josh serve as our team’s nominee for this prestigious award,":
Stan Kasten: "'Josh’s willingness to give so much of his time to the team’s community service efforts on top of his own Foundation commitments is a true testament to his generous spirit and integrity.'"
• You can vote for Josh Willingham HERE, and by voting you make yourself eligible to win a trip to the 2010 World Series. The voting ends October 8th, so support Willingham now.
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This is done by Fan Vote?
Not sure I like that. Hockey’s equivalent is the Masterson award, which seems to be done by a different process. I don’t see fans researching all of the charities to find the one that should succeed on its merits. Either this will rest on snapshots that kind of lead the voters or this will rest on which players are more popular.
To me Josh Willingham’s greatest virtue for this kind of award is the class that he showed in handling the tremendous emotional loss of his brother last year. I can’t remember everything that he said about it because he doesn’t seem eager to be the biggest quote. It’s yet another reason why I have a lot of respect for him and hope that he can stay healthy and productive enough to get a free agency payday next year.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Good question, it's not solely by fan vote luckily...
“The winner of the fan poll will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. MLB celebrates Roberto Clemente Day as part of the broader "MLB Going Beyond" platform, which strives to integrate community service and the importance of giving back.”
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Sep 8, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Much better process.
If I had more time and it was closer to my self-imposed goals for FB, I’d research a comp with the Masterson award and who has won it versus a comp with the Clemente award and who has won it. If one of the hockey guys on the site wants to do some research on that one and put it up as a Fanpost or comment in this thread, I’d be mighty impressed and positively surprised.
I didn’t realize today was a Clemente day around baseball. Kind of sad that they’re picking a day getaway game to do this when attendance is likely to be on the rather light side.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Is that true?
Day games usually draw reasonably well, IIRC. Folks like me just dyin’ to get out of the office…
Rob
"Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection." -- Red Smith
Clemente Day Nats' lineup:
@NatsTownNews: Can I interest you in an early morning lineup? #Nationals – Morgan 8, Des 6, Zim 5, Dunn 3, Bernadina 7, Morse 9, Pudge 2, Espi 4, Livo 1
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Sep 8, 2010 9:07 AM EDT reply actions
NEEDZ MOAR RAMOS!
On the other hand, Pudge got some atonin’ to do. Over/under on how many pitches today (from both starters) exceed 85mph?
"And everybody lived happily ever after. Except the Phillies and the Mets. The End." --Sasskuash
Friend of Dukes and Desmond #3
tiebreaker
How many pitches today (from both starters) don’t exceed 70
My prediction on pitches exceeding 85mph – 1
My Prediction on pitches below 70mph – 20
Exceed 85?
10 – Livo does throw some fastballs that hit 85 I think. I forget Dickey’s velocity. It’s a little atypical for a knuckler.
Below 65? Maybe 15. He throws a harder knuckleball than most.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Solid.
Of course I’d like to see more Ramos or Pudge batting as far down in the lineup as possible because I think that he’s the weakest hitter on the team and I’d like to minimize double play situations for him. As long as Ramos gets more starts than Wil Nieves, I’m cool with Ramos’ playing time. Now if they decide to cater to Pudge next year, then that’s their bad and my ticket or concession purchasing pattern will reflect that.
Espinosa getting multiple consecutive starts is very, very impressive. I think they like him more than they liked Desmond around this time if nothing else due to greater polish, greater position flexibility and fewer concerns about the glove.
On Nieves…Rather interesting he was Maya’s interpreter last night. Those are the kind of informal shrewd things by the org and by Nieves that suggest that he could be in line for an organizational job down the road or might actually accept a AAA assignment with the org if he doesn’t get a major league deal elsewhere.
We diss loyalty to veterans sometimes, but that loyalty to veterans like Nieves will help keep them in the organization for lesser roles at competitive prices as their skills decline or in managerial/scouting/front office roles when their career is done.
Nieves really needs to stay or return to DC in some kind of role once his shelf life on the roster is up.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Wil Nieves is one of the most respected guys in the the clubhouse and the nicest guy in baseball.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Sep 8, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Love seeing Espinosa getting plenty of action.
Seems like the FO wants him to see as much major league pitching as possible plus work with Desmond turning the DP.
It bodes well for him being with the team next April.
I know it’s early early early but that doesn’t prevent me from dreaming of a Concepcion/Morgan or Trammel/Whitaker like combo for years to come
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