KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Major League Baseball announced that Bobby Witt Jr. was named the Kansas City Royals nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One, baseball’s most prestigious individual honor for Major Leaguers. This is Witt Jr.’s first career nomination.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Major League Baseball announced that Bobby Witt Jr. was named the Kansas City Royals nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One, baseball’s most prestigious individual honor for Major Leaguers. This is Witt Jr.’s first career nomination.
The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
As part of the annual program, each MLB Club nominates one player to be considered for the league-wide Award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.
Witt Jr. is a true leader both on and off the field. His relentless dedication to his craft is evident as he became the first shortstop to achieve back-to-back 30-30 seasons, drawing fans each night who eagerly await the next remarkable play. His incredible talent is on display not only at Kauffman Stadium, but out in the Kansas City community as well. There is not a day that Bobby is not making an impact, and often it is a part of his pregame routine, including his special visits to children from Dream Factory, which grants dreams to youth with life-threatening or chronic illnesses. A true Royal, Bobby’s values off the field often align with two of the Royals Community Impact pillars: Healthy and Active Communities and Education and Literacy.
“Everyone sees Bobby’s talent on the field, but we also know he is selfless, conscientious and intentional about making the world around him better,” said Royals Chairman and CEO, John Sherman. “Watching him grow into one of Kansas City’s most beloved ambassadors has been extremely gratifying.”
“Baseball players at all levels know Roberto Clemente’s impact, and it’s an honor to be a small piece of carrying that forward,” said Witt Jr. “I am grateful to have a platform through the Royals and baseball to help others, and I hope to live up to that responsibility.”
Healthy and Active Communities
Bobby is a strong supporter of organizations working to create awareness and fight ALS. Over the past several seasons, Bobby hosted a clinic for over 300 local youth in support of Sarah’s Soldiers. In 2024, the three-hour baseball clinic raised over $45,000 (100% of the event’s proceeds) to financially support Sarah Nauser and others battling ALS. He has worn a Sarah’s Soldiers bracelet daily, including during games, and often wears a Sarah’s Soldiers shirt during batting practice. In addition, he has taken his talents from the diamond to the links in support of the Team Hilliard Foundation Golf Tournament to help raise awareness and funds for ALS research.
In June, Bobby hosted a youth camp in partnership with ProCamps and CommunityAmerica. The collaborating support of Bobby, CommunityAmerica and camp proceeds totaled a $50,000 donation to the Edward Dulle Family in collaboration with Susanna Smiles. Susanna Smiles supports families with children facing hardship caused by critical illness or loss of a parent to help lessen the burden and aid prosperity for families.
His passion, energy and love for the game tabbed Bobby as the first-ever PLAY BALL Ambassador. As part of his ambassadorship, Bobby will continue to be featured in regular content pieces across the PLAY BALL and MLB media channels, providing tips and answering questions to help aid in MLB’s efforts to encourage youth participation in baseball and softball inspiring the next generation of players and fans.
Education and Literacy
Bobby is not only inspiring youth on the field but also in the classroom. He has worked with local schools to help increase literacy rates in the Kansas City Metro as a Royals Literacy League Classroom Champion. This program was launched by the Kansas City Royals Foundation and local partners to build excitement around reading and literacy in elementary-aged students in public schools in Kansas City, while providing additional support to, and appreciation for, the educators that serve them. The Royals Literacy League program reached over 3,000 students over the last school year. Bobby was one of the first players to step forward, providing the students and faculty with inspiration to continue to do their best. He routinely checks in on the classrooms and is on a first-name basis with many of the kids while helping teach them the importance of reading.
The inspiration he provides has carried beyond the course work by providing life lessons and ways to combat stress through his Bobby Breath. Before stepping into the box, you will often find Bobby taking a deep breath to clear his mind, relax and refocus. Many of his students now do the same before exams, or other stressful situations in the classroom and life.
Bobby Witt Jr. is the model for baseball and softball players from all generations on and off the field, relentlessly making himself and those around him better. The way that he carries himself on and off the field provides an example for not only his teammates and other players in league, but also for local and national youth. He offers guidance and inspiration to help all lead happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Monday, Sept. 15 marks the annual Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy as a humanitarian and to formally acknowledge Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and official dugout lineup cards and a customized tribute video to Clemente and the 30 Roberto Clemente Award nominees will be shown in all MLB ballparks on Roberto Clemente Day as well as on MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, Club sites and MLB Social Media Platforms.
With the Royals having a scheduled off day today, they will commemorate Roberto Clemente Day tomorrow, Sept. 16, during their game vs. the Seattle Mariners.
The league-wide winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One will be honored at the 2025 World Series following selection by a blue-ribbon panel. This panel includes representatives from the Commissioner’s Office, Capital One, MLB-affiliated networks (MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN and TBS), MLB.com, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as Roberto’s children, Enrique, Luis and Roberto Clemente, Jr. Beginning today, fans can vote for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One via MLBTogether.com/clementeaward (in both English and Spanish). The site, which will feature bios of each of the nominees, will allow fans to vote until the end of the season on Sunday, Sept. 28. The winner of the fan vote will count as one vote among those cast by the blue-ribbon panel.