ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor yesterday was named the winner of the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, for his philanthropic efforts in his native Puerto Rico, Florida and New York City.
Calling it “baseball’s highest off-field honor,” MLB.com listed Lindor’s charitable efforts, including:
- Since 2020, he has donated more than $1 million to help fund and develop Lindor Hall, a two-story middle school building at his alma mater, Montverde Academy in Florida, featuring state-of-the-art science and technology labs and athletic fields. The shortstop also established the Francisco Lindor Scholarship Fund to provide opportunities for students who otherwise would not have the financial means to attend.
- Following Hurricanes Maria (2017) and Fiona (2022), Lindor provided financial support for disaster relief, restored athletic facilities in his hometown of Caguas, hosted youth baseball clinics, and partnered with various organizations to support recovery and environmental conservation efforts.
- This year, he launched “Lindor’s Leaders,” a season-long development program for students in Bayside High School’s Sports Medicine Program. Centered on mental health, communication, teamwork and leadership, the initiative gave Lindor the opportunity to mentor students while equipping them with the confidence and skills to become leaders in their communities.
- Lindor also recently partnered with Seen, a nonprofit that helps families with children navigating physical disability, to give those children a day out at the ballpark. And he has partnered with New Balance to deliver backpacks and school supplies to hundreds of children each year.
PIRATES
Since he was drafted last summer, Pirates fans have not seen or heard anything from first round choice Derek Curiel, but he’s been working hard at Pirate City. According to Pirates Insider Jason Mackey at Pirates.com, Curiel is one of thirty-some players at the Pirates’ Forge Performance Camp, focusing on classroom work, weight-training, nutrition, and other aspects of his development. Curiel reported that he has gained about twelve pounds of muscle and wants to add ten more before Spring Training begins in February.
The Pirates Forge Performance Camp lasts a week and is designed to equip prospects for their offseason regimen.
