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Rays celebrate Roberto Clemente Day at Tropicana Field

Roberto Clemente Day The Rays, as part of an MLB initiative, celebrated Roberto Clemente Day on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The celebration included an honorary pregame video, ceremony, and decorated bases. The Rays were honored to host Roberto Clemente Jr., who was on hand to recognize the Rays nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.

Since 1971, Major League Baseball has annually presented an award to recognize a player who combines outstanding skills on the field with devoted work in the community. In 1973, the award was re-named in honor of Roberto Clemente, who died on Dec. 31, 1972, during a humanitarian mission to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Roberto Clemente Day The Rays 2008 nominee is Carlos Peña. Peña has dedicated time and money to the Rays Baseball Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Fundacion Lumen 2000 over the past year.

This season Peña became a spokesman for the Sports Buddies program with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. The purpose of Sports Buddies is to encourage young male adults to become mentors to young boys by taking them to sporting events and participating in sports with them. Peña has also hosted events for Sports Buddies matches at Tropicana Field.

In the offseason, Carlos has spent time helping Fundacion Lumen 2000 in the Dominican Republic by providing under-privileged children with educational materials, sports equipment, and medicine.

Peña was recognized before the game for his nomination. Chevy, on behalf of Peña, will donate $7,500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Chevy awards a check to each nominee's chosen charity.

Fans can participate in the selection process of the overall winner of the award now through Oct. 5. 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 Fame right fielder whose spirit and goodwill always will be remembered. The winner will be announced during the World Series.