On Roberto Clemente Day, the Cardinals have named Brendan Donovan their 2025 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One—an honor recognizing players who exemplify character, community leadership, and humanitarian spirit.

Roberto Clemente wasn’t just a Hall of Fame outfielder—he was a humanitarian whose life and death reshaped how baseball honors its heroes. Born in Puerto Rico, Clemente broke barriers for Latin American players and used his platform to serve communities in need. On December 31, 1972, he died in a plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua—a final act of service that became his legacy.

In 1973, Major League Baseball renamed its Commissioner’s Award in Clemente’s honor, creating a tradition that now spans generation

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