Hill of D-backs Nominee For Roberto Clemente Award

Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, today announced that Aaron Hill was named the Arizona Diamondbacks 2013 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Tomorrow marks the 12^th annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy and to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Hill is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. The 15-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. 

Hill has been a leader in representing the D-backs throughout the entire Arizona community supporting numerous organizations. He kicked off the season by dedicating a youth baseball field in Parker, Ariz. in March as part of the APS Diamonds Back Field program. Aaron Hill Field, which is located 160 miles west of Phoenix, serves as the only youth baseball field in a town of 3,000 people. During his visit to Parker, Hill spent the majority of the day meeting with more than 500 school children and residents of the Parker community taking photos and signing autographs. Hill also made a personal donation to cover the cost of the field.

Hill helped fulfill Kyle Byrd’s wish to become a D-backs player for a day through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and took part in the magical wish reveal. Hill also gave Byrd private hitting lessons and showed Byrd around Chase Field. The D-backs will recognize Hill during a special pregame ceremony on the field this Wednesday.

“Aaron has continued to prove he is a leader both on and off the field and this year is no exception,” said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. “His selfless attitude and willingness to help wherever needed is commendable and represents what it means to be a D-back in every aspect.”

“I am extremely humbled to be named the D-backs Roberto Clemente nominee,” said Hill. “Roberto was a tremendous role model on and off the field, and it is a true privilege to be considered for the Award named in his honor.”

The distinguished list of past national Roberto Clemente Award recipients includes 14 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame:

+ Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame

** Originally known as the Commissioner’s Award (prior to 1973)

 Beginning tomorrow on Roberto Clemente Day, fans are encouraged to participate in the process of selecting the national Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recipient by visiting ChevyBaseball.com, which is powered by MLB Advanced Media, to vote for one of the 30 Club nominees. Voting ends on Sunday, October 6^th and participating fans will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2013 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet will be announced. The winner of the fan vote will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel.

Clubs playing at home on September 17^th will recognize their local nominees as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies, while visiting Clubs will honor their nominees before another September home game. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and the official dugout lineup cards.