Former Loons, and current Dodgers pitcher, Clayton Kershaw, won the Roberto Clemente award for his humanitarian work.
/ Jamie Edmonds
DETROIT -- As part of the World Series festivities, MLB and Roberto Clemente's wife, presented this year's recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award: Clayton Kershaw.
At 24-years-old, the Dodgers pitcher became the youngest to accept the award, given to the MLB player who gives back to the community and also excels on the field.
There's no doubt of Kershaw's on-the-field excellence, but his off the field presence is lesser-known.
Kershaw and his wife, Ellen, began 'Kershaw's Challenge,' an organization that works with at-risk youth in the US, as well as in Africa.
The two have traveled to Zambia several times and are working on opening an orphanage there.
The former Loons pitcher choked back tears as he accepted the award from Commissioner Bud Selig as well as Clemente's wife, Vera.
"Baseball is something we've been given," Kershaw said. "I didn't do anything to deserve it. I think it's a God-given talent and with that comes a lot of responsibility in that you have to find what you're passionate about. Obviously, I love baseball, but the off the field stuff means more."
