Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim center fielder Mike Trout, Minnesota Twins utility man Eduardo Escobar, New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz, New York Yankees reliever David Robertson and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey were voted by fans as the six finalists for the 2017 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.
Voting pared down the group of 30 nominees to a finalist from each division. The six players will appear on the 2017 Players Choice Award ballot to determine this year’s winner of the prestigious Marvin Miller Award.
It’s presented annually to the player “whose on-field performance and contributions to his community most inspire others to higher levels of achievement.” Each team selected a nominee, and for the Los Angeles Dodgers that was Clayton Kershaw.
He won the award in 2014 and still resides as the organization’s only recipient. Curtis Granderson was voted by his peers as the Marvin Miller Man of the Year last season as a member of the Mets. He was selected ahead of Justin Turner, among others.
In 2016, Posey and his wife Kristen announced through their Posey Family Foundation a plan to spearhead efforts to raise money for research and awareness of pediatric cancer. Posey has made regular trips to local hospitals to visit with children and families impacted by cancer.
Although Kershaw was not voted a finalist among the National League West nominees, he too has been instrumental in leading charitable efforts. With his wife Ellen, their Kershaw’s Challenge foundation has provided aid in the Dallas and Los Angeles communities and internationally.
