NewsBraves tap Hudson as Clemente nominee
Pitcher nominated by Atlanta for fourth straight season
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
09/02/09 11:05 PM ET
MIAMI -- As Tim Hudson neared his return to the mound this week, he often joked that it was time for him to start earning his paycheck.Reconstructive elbow surgery prevented Hudson from pitching for more than a year. But during this long absence the veteran pitcher and his wife, Kim, continued to provide the Atlanta community with the dedication that they've shown toward multiple charitable endeavors.
Recognizing these charitable acts, the Braves have named Hudson their Roberto Clemente Award nominee for the fourth consecutive year.
"Obviously it's an honor," Hudson said. "Like I've said the past couple of years, it's pretty much a team effort between me and my wife. She's just as involved in this stuff as I am. I think the joint effort is why it happens the way that it does."
The award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team. It is named in honor of the former Pirates outfielder, whose spirit and goodwill will always be remembered. Clemente died in a plane crash while attempting to transport relief supplies to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua on Dec. 31, 1972.
Fans can participate in the selection process of the overall winner of the award now through Oct. 4. 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.
Fans who vote will also be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2009 World Series, when the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced.
Hudson, who was also nominated for this award four times (2001-04) while playing with the A's, has centered most of his charitable endeavors around children. Regular supporters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, he and his wife recently founded the The Hudson Family Foundation, which aims to benefit children in Georgia and Alabama who have a genuine need for assistance with regard to a specific physical, emotional or financial circumstance. The Hudsons also recently joined forces with Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer's Foundation. They have put much of their focus toward Moyer's "Campaign for Kids" program, which is aimed at expanding the reach of Camp Erin, a bereavement camp designed for children ages 6-17, who have experienced the death of a parent, friend or loved one.
Throughout the season, the Hudsons bring terminally-ill children to Turner Field to realize their dreams of meeting some of their favorite players. In addition, they've hosted regular fundraisers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
During the holiday season, the Hudsons invite approximately 75 children, involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to participate in a shopping spree that they fund.
"Whenever you are able to bring a smile to the face of a child or one of their parents, you realize how lucky you really are," Hudson said.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
