With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Dodgers' Mookie Betts wins prestigious Roberto Clemente Award
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
(
Michael Reaves
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has been chosen as the recipient of the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award.
Why it matters: The award is given to one player each year who "best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field." It's considered one of the game's highest honors.
Betts founded the 5050 Foundation in 2021 to help underserved young people with things like mental health, financial literacy, physical fitness and more. He also donated more than $30,000 in Nike apparel to Eaton Fire survivors.
Support for LAist comes from
The backstory: Roberto Clemente was an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates who played 18 seasons in the Major Leagues. In addition to being a Hall of Famer, and being considered by many to be among the greatest to ever play baseball, Clemente was also known for spending most of his time during the offseason doing charity work in Puerto Rico, where he was born and raised, as well as in Latin America and the Caribbean. Clemente died in a plane crash in 1973 while flying to Nicaragua to deliver emergency supplies to earthquake survivors.
You can read more about Clemente and the award that bears his name here.
What's next: Betts will receive the award tonight before Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.
Go deeper: ...and check out our World Series cheat sheet to catch up on everything you need to know about what's at stake.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist