Jeter named the Yanks' '09 Clemente nominee

Shortstop continues to be a leader on team, community

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

The captain of the Yankees is again recognized for his work in the community. (AP)

09/01/2009 5:38 PM ET

Derek Jeter has been selected as the Yankees' nominee for the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award, an important nod toward the shortstop's continuing commitment of giving back to his community.

For nearly all of his big league career, Jeter has been heavily involved with his Turn 2 Foundation, which encourages children and teenagers to avoid drug and alcohol addiction, and rewards those who show high academic achievement and adopt healthier lifestyles in Florida, Michigan and New York.

"Anytime you're honored for what you do off the field, it's always special," Jeter said. "My foundation is something that means a lot to me. It's nice to know you're doing some good things.

"I think it's important. I think if you're in this position, you should try to take advantage of it and help out as much as you can."

The Clemente award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team. It is named in honor of the former Pirates outfielder, whose spirit and goodwill will always be remembered. Clemente died in a plane crash while attempting to transport relief supplies to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua on Dec. 31, 1972.

Fans can participate in the selection process of the overall winner of the award now through Oct. 4. The fan ballot winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by a special selection panel of baseball dignitaries and media members. The panel includes MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and Vera Clemente, widow of the Pirates' Hall of Famer. The winner will be announced during the World Series.

Voting fans will also be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2009 World Series, when the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet will be announced.

Jeter said that it is an honor to be linked with a legend like Clemente, saying that he is proud to just be involved in the conversation. Jeter hatched the idea of his Turn 2 Foundation after his rookie season in 1996, outlining the program over pizza with his father, Dr. Charles Jeter, in a Detroit hotel room.

The simple mission then was to help as many children as possible, and Turn 2 has grown beyond even Jeter's wildest dreams, hosting multiple events each year in New York; Tampa, Fla.; and Kalamazoo, Mich.

He said that the success of his foundation has been one of his most rewarding endeavors, but he encourages others to become involved however they can in their communities, as the Yankees did during their recent HOPE Week.

"It doesn't necessarily mean you have to start a foundation, because I know how difficult that is," Jeter said. "But I think a lot of people give their time and efforts to community service, and I think that's a great thing.

"Like HOPE Week, I think everyone really enjoyed being a part of that, and I thought it brought some attention to Yankees fans and fans around baseball to get a little more involved themselves."

The distinguished list of national Roberto Clemente Award recipients includes 13 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame:

* Member of Baseball Hall of Fame

The winner of the fan poll will receive one vote among those cast by the official selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans automatically will be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2009 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced. MLB celebrates Roberto Clemente Day as part of its broader "MLB Going Beyond" platform, an initiative that strives to integrate community service and the importance of giving back.