HOUSTON -- Major League Baseball has awarded Nelson Cruz the Roberto Clemente award for character, community involvement, and philanthropy.
Cruz was the 50th recipient of the honor and was to be presented with the award prior to Wednesday's World Series Game 2.
The 17-year MLB veteran, seven-time All-Star, provided financial support for 1,200 families in Las Matas de Santa Cruz (Dominican Republic), during the COVID-19 pandemic. This helped feed 700 families.
Cruz donated a fire engine, 80 uniformed firefighters, and an ambulance to transport people to the nearest hospital. It was about an hour from Cruz's childhood home.
His Boomstick23 Foundation started construction of an education- and technical center last spring. He will stock it with computers to aid athletes.
Cruz, 41, organizes optometrists and dentists to visit the town's clinic for eyewear and medicine checkups. Last year, 500 people received dental services.
He was instrumental in arranging for MLB, Major League Baseball Players Association, and the union's Players Trust donation of $400,000 to Dominican Republic to help with food and medical aid during the pandemic.
The Minnesota Twins nominated Cruz, and traded him to Tampa Bay Rays in July.
