Justin Turner was voted the Los Angeles Dodgers’ nominee for the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award, marking a fifth time in the past six seasons he’s been up the prestigious honor. Kenley Jansen was the Dodgers’ nominee in 2019.
The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Each team nominates one player to be considered for the league-wide winner of the award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.
“It’s an absolute honor to be recognized by the Dodgers as the Roberto Clemente nominee for the fifth time,” Turner told DodgerBlue.com.
“Obviously Kourt and I take a lot of time in being heavily involved in the community and giving back to our fans, who we consider the best fans in baseball. To be mentioned in the same sentence as Roberto Clemente and be associated with No. 21 and philanthropy is probably one of the greatest awards and greatest recognitions you can receive.”
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.
Through their foundation, the couple has raised money for those in need by hosting various charitable events, and also making surprise visits and donations to local organizations.
A league-wide winner of the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award will be 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 can vote for the Roberto Clemente Award winner at mlb.com/clemente21 (English) and LasMayores.com/clemente21 (Spanish) through the end of the regular season on Wednesday, October 5. The winner from fan voting will count as one vote among those cast by the blue ribbon panel.
Justin Turner humbled by Turner Trot 5K success
Looking to build off last year’s virtual Turner Trot 5K, Justin and Kourtney hosted the event again this past Sunday, but with an in-person option as well.
They had more than 1,200 participants make the the journey from Dodger Stadium to the Dream Center, where the Turners greeted them and addressed the crowd.
“Thank you guys for coming out this morning,” Turner said. “We have so much love and support for the foundation, and for Kourt and I, and we can’t thank you guys enough for coming out here. What I get to do over at Dodger Stadium for a living is something that I don’t take for granted.
“I get to play a kids’ game in front of a lot of people. We both feel like we have a responsibility because we’ve been blessed in our life to utilize this platform to do events like this to raise awareness for organizations like CHLA and the Dream Center of Los Angeles, who are two of our big beneficiaries, and try to help raise money and awareness for all the needs they have.”
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