Gaby Sanchez up for Roberto Clemente Award

MIAMI -- Along with being a leader in the clubhouse, Gaby Sanchez also is among the most active Marlins in the community.

The 28-year-old All-Star first baseman is known for being a hard worker on the field. With his free time, the Miami native proudly supports South Florida.

Sanchez gives his time to the Marlins Community Foundation, assisting in their fund-raising efforts. He's taken interest in the organization's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program, as well as the Challenger and Miracle Leagues.

Miracle Leagues holds a special place in Sanchez's heart, as he is touched by helping bring smiles to the faces of disadvantaged children.
"When I was in Double-A, it was the first time I got to go to a Miracle League field, and just to see these kids' faces," Sanchez said. "There is a certain joy that those kids get, and it just lifts you."

Sanchez's community involvement has earned him the distinction of being the Marlins' nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
All 30 nominees have immersed themselves in the type of humanitarian and community efforts that distinguished the life of Clemente, a life that ended at age 38 on New Year's Eve, 1972, when the plane he was using to deliver aid to Nicaraguan earthquake victims crashed.

Fans will once again have the opportunity to participate in the selection of the national winner. They can cast votes for any of the 30 club nominees through Oct. 9.

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 Commissioner Bud Selig and Vera Clemente, widow of the Hall of Fame right fielder.

Voting fans also will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip for four to the 2011 World Series to see the national winner presented with the Roberto Clemente Award.

Sanchez says being active in the community is part of being a big leaguer.

"It's just something that I feel like we all have to do," Sanchez said. "Just giving back. No matter what it is, doing little camps here, doing things with fans and people. It's something they enjoy so much, you don't want to take that away from them."

Sanchez was the Marlins' lone All-Star representative this year. The first baseman also enjoyed a strong 2010 season, when he was fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Sanchez attended the University of Miami and has repeatedly taken part in charitable events in South Florida.

He's played in the annual "Marlins Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament" and attended "The Annual Awards Dinner."

Each year, prior to the start of Spring Training, he participates in the club's annual caravan week. This year, he was a central figure in the "Caravan for the Troops," which raised nearly $250,000 for the Marlins Community Foundation.

The caravan tour involved Sanchez in charitable softball and Wiffle Ball games with those in the armed services at the Homestead Air Force base as well as the USSC base.

He also was part of the contingent who visited the USS Jason Dunham and toured the vessel with the crew. And he traveled Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba to visit the troops stationed there.

"Whenever you can get any type award, no matter what it is, it's something special," Sanchez said. "But something that has [Roberto Clemente's] name on it, it means a lot to a lot of players in baseball. It's just an honor."


(mlb.com)