Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Justin Turner is definitely one of baseball’s good guys. And today, there was even more evidence of that. For the fifth time in his career, JT has been named the Dodgers’ nominee for the annual Roberto Clemente Award, perhaps the highest non-performance based award in the sport.
The Roberto Clemente Award is presented every year to the player who best represents the game through “extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”
While his play on the field continues to bring smiles to the faces of Dodger fans, his charitable work in the community is just as notable. Since coming to the Dodgers, Turner has been involved in numerous good deeds for the people of LA and beyond, most notably through his own charitable organization, the Justin Turner Foundation. The Foundation’s official mission is to support homeless veterans, children (and their families) battling life-altering illnesses and diseases and various youth baseball organizations. Beyond his Foundation, Turner is a fixture at Dodgers and Dodgers Foundation community events, local hospitals and the Dream Center, which renamed its food bank The Justin & Kourtney Turner Food Bank in his honor.
JT took the honor with his trademark humility. “I’m grateful to once again represent the Dodgers as the Roberto Clemente Award nominee,” he said. “There are many honors that come with being a Major League Baseball player, but there is nothing that makes me more proud than representing Roberto’s No. 21 and trying to follow in his philanthropic footsteps. The Justin Turner Foundation doesn’t work for recognition, but receiving this distinction reassures us that our relationship with the community is on the right track.”
When the Dodgers get back to town from their current road trip, Turner will be honored on the field for this accomplishment, with a short pre-game ceremony prior to their game with the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 19.
First given in 1971 to Willie Mays, the Clemente award has been bestowed upon some of baseball’s biggest names, from Brooks Robinson to Dave Winfield to Adam Wainwright. Last year’s winner was the Nats’ DH Nelson Cruz. Over the years, several former Dodgers have won the award, but only two as LA’s nominee: Steve Garvey in 1981, and Clayton Kershaw in 2012. Part of the selection process involves a fan vote, which Dodger fans can access here. The winner of the fan vote will count as one vote among those cast by the blue-ribbon panel.
Thanks for all you do for the community, JT. And congratulations on a well-deserved honor.
