Justin Turner became the third Los Angeles Dodgers player to win the Roberto Clemente Award, which is presented annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Turner, who has been the Dodgers’ nominee for the prestigious honor in five of the last six seasons, was presented with the hardware on Monday night during a press conference at Citizens Bank Park.
The 2022 Roberto Clemente Award winner was selected by a blue ribbon panel that includes MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, representatives from Capital One, MLB-affiliated networks (MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN and TBS), MLB.com, and Roberto’s children, Enrique, Luis and Roberto Clemente Jr.
Fans also had the ability to vote for a winner through October 5, and Turner thanked those who supported him along the way.
A word now from Justin Turner on receiving the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award 👏
Congrats, @redturn2! pic.twitter.com/nOJzuXo1cE
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) October 31, 2022
A special thank you message to Dodger fans from the Roberto Clemente Award Winner, @redturn2. pic.twitter.com/P1FwqMSDK1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 1, 2022
“This is a tremendous honor and a very special award. I think when you think about baseball and the history and all the great accolades that can be achieved on the field, this is one that stands out above all of them for me,” he said.
“Because it’s a way that my wife and I have the opportunity to give back in the community, to utilize our platform in a meaningful, positive way.
“To help lift people up who are in need and in times of pain, especially the last few years that we’ve been through with the pandemic as it hit the entire world very hard, but it was especially tough for Angelenos.
“And to be able to have this foundation, this resource to go through to have an impact and dive into impacting people’s lives and lifting them up and providing them with supplies, resources, anything that they need in tough times has been special to us.
“As a Los Angeles Dodger the bar was already set pretty high for Kourt and I with guys like Steve Garvey and Clayton Kershaw who are obviously previous winners. To be able to follow in their footsteps and try to make the organization proud and make the Clemente family proud is something that we hold near and dear to our heart.”
Justin Turner Foundation receives recognition
Justin and Kourtney Turner established the Justin Turner Foundation in 2016 to support homeless veterans, children (and their families) battling life-altering illnesses and diseases, and youth baseball organizations.
The Turners are active through various initiatives with the Dream Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio and more. Justin and Kourtney additionally are on the board of trustees at CHLA.
During the Roberto Clemente Award press conference, Manfred raved about the work by the Justin Turner Foundation.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
