The Tampa Bay Rays are chasing the A.L. East and heading to the postseason, but this week the club turned its attention to something off the scoreboard. Cedric Mullins has been named the team’s 2026 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which goes to the player who best represents the game through character, community involvement, and philanthropy.
The nomination came as baseball observed Roberto Clemente Day, honoring the Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 in a plane crash while delivering supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Mullins called the honor special, especially for the Latin American community, pointing to what Clemente did for the game and the charities he supported. For Mullins, the recognition carries personal weight too, since he lives with Crohn’s disease and spends much of his time supporting nonprofits and children facing serious illnesses.
Around the Suncoast, where so many families have roots in Latin America and the Caribbean, Clemente’s legacy is not just baseball history. It’s part of the community’s story. And as the Rays push for a division title, Mullins is giving fans a reason to be proud of more than the standings.
Who’s your pick for the Rays player who does the most for our community? Let us know in the comments.
