Orioles nominate Dillon Tate for 2022 Roberto Clemente Award

The Orioles and Major League Baseball today announced that DILLON TATE has been named the Orioles’ 2022 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One. The most prominent individual player award bestowed by MLB, the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One, is the annual recognition of a player from each club who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, sportsmanship, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field. 

The Orioles will join all of Major League Baseball in celebrating the 21^st annual Roberto Clemente Day, presented by Capital one, wearing jersey patches as they face the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on Friday, September 16. The commemorative day was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy and to officially acknowledge local club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and official dugout lineup cards, all players will wear a ‘21’ patch on their jersey, and a special tribute video will be played in ballparks. Once again this season, each team’s Clemente nominee will wear a ‘21’ patch on their jersey that indicates their nomination for the prestigious award.

As part of this nomination and in recognition of Tate’s exemplary commitment to serving his community, MLB will make a $7,500 donation to his foundation, Baseball Academia Corp. The Orioles Charitable Foundation will match the donation, for a total of $15,000 contributed. The Orioles will recognize Tate in a special on-field ceremony on Monday, September 19, as they host the Detroit Tigers at 7:05 p.m. at Camden Yards.

Tate exemplifies the spirit of Roberto Clemente. With his giving nature, kindhearted attitude, and passion for the community matched with his stellar performance on the field, he embodies what it means to be an Oriole.

While growing up in California, Tate frequently played at the MLB Urban Youth Academy, taking advantage of free resources to help sharpen his skills. It was here that he learned the significance that professional sports teams can have on the development of youth on and off the diamond. He carried that knowledge with him throughout his career and has recognized the importance of giving back.  

This year, Tate launched his foundation, Baseball Academia, where he aims to teach children and young athletes lessons on personal development and how to improve skills on and off the field. Through his foundation, he has hosted nearly 150 athletes at the ballpark throughout the 2022 season, with additional visits scheduled for the remainder of the year. His foundation provides game tickets, meals, and a tour of the ballpark. He then hosts a private meet and greet with each group, answering questions about his experience as a player and holding candid conversations on goal setting and how to persevere to achieve your dreams. He rallies other players in the clubhouse to speak to the group, helping to provide different perspectives to the youth who attend. He has big plans for his foundation, eventually growing it to help provide access and opportunities to youth athletes who may not otherwise have them. Tate wants to make a commitment to youth in Maryland, no matter where his baseball career takes him.

Tate enjoys participating in club-sponsored activities that support youth baseball and softball. He was a fixture at PLAY BALL Day, where he taught more than 500 children basic pitching fundamentals and walked them through a fun and interactive pitching drill. He encouraged the children to try their best, work hard, and have fun. 

Tate joined the Orioles for the annual Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Clinic, where he ran a station for youth baseball and softball players who are working hard to continue in their sports careers. In the same day, he held a private question and answer session for a local baseball team. He is more than happy to spend his limited free time empowering the local community.

Earlier this season, Tate made a personal contribution to Orioles outfielder Austin Hays’ individual fundraising project for mental health awareness and advocacy, supporting his teammate’s endeavor, and pushing the total raised to over $12,000.

What makes Tate a true champion is that his community spirit comes from a place of genuineness and truth. He is not a person who solely gives back for a photo opportunity.

Tate has emerged as a dominant force in the Orioles bullpen this season. He’s appeared in 57 games so far (through September 6), going 4-3 with three saves, a 2.71 ERA (19 ER/63.0 IP) and 54 strikeouts. He is second on the team in holds (14), and in appearances. 

The league-wide winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One will be selected via a blue ribbon panel, including  Baseball Commissioner ROBERT D. MANFRED, JR., representatives from MLB-affiliated networks (MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN and TBS), MLB.com, and Roberto’s children, ENRIQUE, LUIS and ROBERTO CLEMENTE, JR. From now until the conclusion of the regular season on Wednesday, October 5, fans can vote for the overall winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One at MLB.com/Clemente21. The winner of the fan vote will count as one vote among those cast by the blue ribbon panel. 

The concept of honoring Major League players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award,” but was renamed to the “Roberto Clemente Award” in 1973 in honor of the Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Each September since 2002, Major League Baseball has commemorated Roberto Clemente Day.