Dodgers catcher Will Smith was the team’s nominee for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, the annual honor that recognizes players for their contributions both on and off the field, named for the legendary Hall of Fame former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder.
Smith and his wife Cara founded Catching Hope, “a nonprofit organization working to help underprivileged children with critical skills needed for leadership, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency.” Among the projects by the organization this year include
an art installation at Marquez Elementary School in Los Angeles in April, a comedy night in Beverly Hills in May as part of the Netflix is a Joke Fest, a community clinic for an elementary school at Dodger Stadium in May, and a visit to UCLA hospital in August.
Fans can vote on the Clemente Award through September 27, the final day of the regular season. The fan vote will count as one vote in a panel that also includes members of the MLB commissioner’s office, MLB.com writers, MLB television media partners, and members of Roberto Clemente’s family.
The winner will be announced during the World Series. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts won the award last year.
Old friend Justin Turner, who won the Clemente Award in 2022 and was also the Dodgers nominee for the honor in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 as well, won another title on Tuesday night. His Tijuana Toros beat the Tabasco Olmecas four games to two to win the best-of-7 Serie del Rey to win the Mexican League championship.
Turner hit .295/.395/.469 with 21 doubles and six home runs in 65 games in his age-41 season for Tijuana, which was managed by former Dodgers outfielder Roberto Kelly. The World Baseball Softball Confederation has more on Tijuana’s Tuesday triumph.
