Francisco Lindor felt so honored to receive the Roberto Clemente Award that he attended World Series Game 3 in St. Petersburg, Florida, wearing a Ferragamo tuxedo to accept it. The New York Mets shortstop said the recognition came after years of community work he never did for attention. "We've been doing work without trying to be recognized, and here we are," he said Monday night.
A five-time All-Star, Lindor became the fifth recipient of Puerto Rican descent to win the award, joining Edgar Martinez (2004), Carlos Delgado (2006), Carlos Beltran (2013) and Yadier Molina (2018). "I looked at them, and I was trying to follow in their footsteps," Lindor said, seated beside his wife, Katia. "Now just being here, it's a complete honor to have a full-circle moment like this."
Lindor and his wife have worked with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, the SEEN Foundation, Special Olympics Florida and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He donated to relief efforts in Puerto Rico after hurricanes Maria and Fiona, restored athletic facilities in his hometown of Caguas, and gave more than $1 million to build Lindor Hall at Montverde Academy, his former high school in Florida. He also launched Lindor's Leaders, a development initiative for students in the sports medicine program at Bayside High School in Queens, New York, and funded backpacks and school supplies in the borough.
Katia said the couple's giving will continue to evolve. "For right now, the things that we feel passionate about have to do with the people we meet along the way and how they impact our lives. It's kind of a two-way street." Lindor said wherever they see a need, they plan to help. The award honors Roberto Clemente, a 15-time All-Star from Puerto Rico killed in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while delivering supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing