Baseball star Roberto Clemente at the old Al Lang Field in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., during Spring Training. In September, Major League Baseball teams nominate players for the the Roberto Clemente Award, which remembers the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame outfielder who died in a plane crash in 1972 delivering supplies to victims of an earthquake. The 30 nominees for the annual award, given to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individuals contribution to his team,” were announced earlier this week by Major League Baseball. The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at the Word Series. Mallex Smith, outfielder, is the Rays nominee for the award this year./Photo of Roberto Clemente, circa mid-’60s, by Greg C. Truax
— By Greg C. Truax, Publisher