History
Major league baseball established a Man of the Year Award in 1971 to honor a player for humanitarian service as well as on-the field performance. Two years later, it was named the Roberto Clemente Award to honor the former Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder who had been killed on Dec. 31, 1972, in the crash of a plane carrying relief supplies to earthquake-ravished Nicaragua.
In the course of the season, each major league team nominates a player for the award. The national award winner is selected from among the nominees by a panel that includes the commissioner of baseball and Vera Clemente, the widow of the Hall of Fame player.
Since 2000, John Hancock Financial Services has been the title sponsor of the award. The winner receives a trophy and $25,000 is donated in his name to a charity of his choice. In addition, John Hancock donates $30,000 in the winner's name to Roberto Clemente Sports City in Puerto Rico.