This morning, Major League Baseball named Francisco Lindor the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award recipient. The Clemente Award, per the press release provided by MLB, is “the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” The press release also refers to the award as ‘Major League Baseball’s most prestigious individual player honor.“
This is Lindor’s
fourth nomination as a Met for the Clemente Award.
Mets fans need no primer on the work Lindor does for the community, and as part of this award, presenting sponsor Capital One is donating $100,000 to SEEN Foundation. From SEEN’s website, the organization “advance[s] disability advocacy and self-advocacy by promoting access to text based Assistive Technology Communication supports.” Lindor and his wife, Katia, do work with SEEN, as well as many other charities in the New York area.
Lindor is now the fifth Met to receive the Clemente Award since its 1971 inception, following in the footsteps of Gary Carter (1989), Al Leiter (2000), Carlos Delgado (2006), and Curtis Granderson (2016).
Congratulations to Lindor, and read the full press release below.
FRANCISCO LINDOR NAMED RECIPIENT OF THE 2026 ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE
Mets Star Recognized for Extraordinary Contributions to Education, Youth Leadership, Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico and Support for Queens Youth
Presenting Sponsor Capital One Donates $100,000 to SEEN Foundation
Tampa, Florida – Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets has been named the 2026 recipient of Major League Baseball’s most prestigious individual player honor, the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One. Deepening its commitment to the award’s impact, Capital One is donating $100,000 to SEEN Foundation in honor of Lindor’s achievement. Lindor was nominated by the Mets for his unwavering dedication to service, education, youth development and community leadership. Lindor will be formally presented with the Roberto Clemente Award at Tropicana Field before tonight’s Game Three of the World Series presented by Capital One.
A devoted husband and father of three, Francisco’s greatest source of pride is his family. Whether on the field at Citi Field or in the community, he leads with humility, compassion and purpose alongside his wife, Katia. Katia serves as an active co-leader across the family’s philanthropic initiatives, working together with Francisco to design and execute outreach efforts, mentor young people and engage directly with local community organizations. As a proud Puerto Rican native, Francisco shares a connection to Roberto Clemente through their Puerto Rican roots and a commitment to making a difference beyond the game. With his selection, Francisco becomes the fifth recipient of Puerto Rican descent to receive the Roberto Clemente Award since its inception in 1971, joining a distinguished group of past honorees that includes Edgar Martinez (2004), Carlos Delgado (2006), Carlos Beltrán (2013) and Yadier Molina (2018).
While recognized as one of baseball’s top players and a five-time All-Star; four-time Silver Slugger; two-time Rawlings Gold Glover and Heart and Hustle Award recipient, Francisco’s legacy, like Clemente’s, is defined by the lives they impact through service, generosity and leadership:
- Capital One’s $100,000 donation, presented in honor of Francisco Lindor, will directly support the SEEN Foundation, an organization with which Francisco and his wife, Katia, are working to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. The contribution will help advance SEEN Foundation’s mission and expand its efforts to empower youth, create opportunities and foster positive community impact. Through this donation, Lindor and Katia’s commitment to giving back will continue to support the organization’s work and help further its long-term impact in the communities it serves.
- Lindor’s Leaders Program (est. 2026) — Launched in partnership with New Balance, this year-long leadership development initiative for students in Bayside High School’s Sports Medicine Program focuses on mental health, communication, teamwork, and leadership. Lindor personally mentors participating students, equipping them with the confidence to lead in their schools and communities.
- Support for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals — In 2026, Francisco partnered with Dairy Queen and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for Miracle Treat Day, raising critical funds for local children’s hospitals by donating directly to families in need $1 or more from every Blizzard Treat sold.
- Transformative Commitment to Education — A proud graduate of Montverde Academy, Lindor has donated more than $1 million since 2020 to build Lindor Hall, a two-story middle school building featuring state-of-the-art science and technology labs. He also established the Francisco Lindor Scholarship Fund to provide financial aid for students, remaining personally involved through mentorship, career guidance, annual PLAY BALL youth events, and equipment donations for the school’s baseball team.
- Disaster Relief and Advocacy for Puerto Rico — Deeply committed to his native Puerto Rico, Francisco provided essential financial support following Hurricanes Maria and Fiona, restored athletic facilities in his hometown of Caguas, and hosted youth clinics. He continues to partner with organizations including Team Rubicon, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, Players for the Planet, and Rescate Playas Borinquen for ongoing recovery and environmental conservation.
- Serving the Queens Community — Through an annual back-to-school initiative with New Balance, Lindor provides hundreds of students each year with backpacks and essential school supplies. Now in its third season, Lindor Smile Tuesdays welcomes youth organizations to Citi Field for educational experiences promoting dental health, wellness, self-confidence, and mentorship.
- Growing the Game — Passionate about making baseball accessible and inclusive, Francisco regularly participates in the Mets’ Clinic for Champions with Special Olympics Florida and hosts the Lindor Clinic for Kids for local youth leagues and Boys & Girls Clubs.
The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. The concept of honoring Major League players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award.” It was renamed to the “Roberto Clemente Award” in 1973 to honor 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.
Lindor was selected from a list of 30 Club nominees by a distinguished panel that included Commissioner Manfred, Roberto Clemente’s children, Enrique, Luis, and Roberto Jr., former players (including former Roberto Clemente Award winners), journalists from MLB-affiliated network & media partners, MLB Network, FOX Sports, NBC, ESPN, TBS, Netflix and MLB.com, and a representative from Capital One. Additionally, each year, fans are given the chance to vote via MLBTogether.com/clementeaward. Lindor was recognized as a nominee on Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One, which was held on September 15th throughout Major League Baseball. Each September since 2002, Major League Baseball has commemorated Roberto Clemente Day to recognize Clemente Award nominees and celebrate the Hall of Famer’s unforgettable legacy.
