Every year Major League Baseball takes nominations from every team for a player to be given the Roberto Clemente Award. The award is a prestigious honor given to a player who shows outstanding character, community involvement, and philanthropy on and off the field. The award is given in tribute to Roberto Clemente, who was known for his philanthropy, and was killed in a plane crash off the coast of Puerto Rico on New Year’s Eve in 1972. The Pirates outfielder was on his way to Nicaragua, which had been ravished by an earthquake, to deliver food and other aid when the crash occurred.

The Phillies nominated pitcher Aaron Nola, who is well known for his work to raise funds for research and awareness of ALS – Lou Gehrig‘s Disease – and has raised over $250-thousand for the cause. Nola also is involved with the non-profit Team Red, White, and Blue, a group designed to help veterans and service members raise their mental and physical health. Nola and his wife, Hunter, organized a poker tournament that was held this past May and raised over $225-thousand for the group. Nola has raised over $600-thousand for Team RWB since 2023, including personally donating $197-thousand in 2024 when he pledged $1,000.00 for every strikeout to go to Team RWB.

Nola has joined the Phillies Phans Feeding Families charity to raise money for Philabundance as they look to meet the food and nutritional needs of families in the Philadelphia area. The program began more than a decade ago and has raised over $1-million.

Recently, Nola was honored by the ALS Association with its annual Volunteer Impact Award and by Major League Baseball as their Most Valuable Philanthropist for 2025.

You can learn more about the award and the 30 nominees, and place your vote.