Jared Hughes: 2016 Roberto Clemente Award Nominee

Beginning Tomorrow Pittsburgh Pirates Fans Should Use #VoteHughes to Vote for Jared Hughes as MLB’s 2016 Roberto Clemente Award Winner

Today, MLB announced the 30-club nominees for the league-wide Roberto Clemente Award, with reliever Jared Hughes receiving the nomination for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Established to honor the life-long Pirates right-fielder for his exemplary contributions to his communities and baseball, the award is given annually during the World Series to the “player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field,” said an MLB press release. The award was won last year by fellow-Pirates player Andrew McCutchen.

The 31 year-old Hughes is known for his upbeat attitude, excitement for the game of baseball (a hallmark being his signature sprint to the mound from the bullpen) and willingness to help out wherever there is a need – either on the field, in the clubhouse or in the community. From shaving his head in support for childhood cancer awareness to playing fantasy football to benefit Big League Impact to giving kids advice on pitching during a Play Ball event at PNC Park, Hughes is always giving back.

MLB.com had this to say on Hughes’ nomination:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#000000″ class=”” size=””]”Hoping to follow in the footsteps of 2015 Roberto Clemente Award winner Andrew McCutchen, Hughes is known as the first to sign up for Pirates outreach events, walking Pirates FanFest unescorted just to chat with fans, and recording more than 200 hours of community service for the Pirates Community Commitment Program.”[/perfectpullquote]The award has been around since 1971, originally as the Commissioner’s award, according to MLB. Its name was changed in 1973 to honor the Pirates’ MVP and 15-time All Star following his death in a plane crash taking supplies to victims of a devastating earthquake in Nicaragua.

This year, MLB is changing the manner in which fans vote for the award (votes are also cast by a panel selected by MLB). On Wednesday, September 7, which is the 15th annual Roberto Clemente Day league-wide, fans can begin voting for their winner by posting the nominee’s hashtag to Twitter and MLB and Club Facebook pages.

To cast your vote for Jared Hughes, hashtag posts with #VoteHughes

Hughes, along with the other 29 nominees, will be honored during a pre-game ceremony on fields on Wednesday and later in the month, according to MLB. Per their tradition, the Pirates will be visiting a school in Pittsburgh with the Clemente family, talking about his legacy, greeting kids and handing out backpacks.