09/07/2005 10:22 AM ET National nominees for the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award announced 30 club recipients honored in conjunction with 2005 Roberto Clemente Day

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As part of the League-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases, on commemorative home plates and on the official dugout lineup cards. Also, in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, all Clubs playing at home will host in-stadium collection drives to give fans an opportunity to donate to the Red Cross relief effort. Visiting clubs will host relief collection efforts on a later date and Major League Baseball will match the contributions up to $1 million. Major League Baseball believes it is fitting to devote Roberto Clemente Day to the relief effort, because Clemente, a Hall of Famer and one of the game's greatest players, gave his life while on a mission to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year's Eve 1972.

A national celebration of Roberto Clemente Day will take place at PNC Park in Pittsburgh where members of the Clemente family, representatives from Major League Baseball, local dignitaries and the Pittsburgh Pirates' local recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award are scheduled to participate. In addition, General Mills, Major League Baseball and the Clemente family will unveil a new Wheaties box featuring Roberto Clemente.

"Roberto Clemente's passion for the game of baseball and devotion to making a difference in the lives of those in need continues to have an impact to this day," said Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "Roberto Clemente Day recognizes the players who not only put their time and energy into the game of baseball, but extend that energy beyond the playing field. I congratulate all the Club nominees and express my sincerest admiration for their commitment to their respective communities."

The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community. A panel of dignitaries including Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Selig will select the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award. The winner will be selected from among the 30 local award recipients. The national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award will be announced prior to Game Three of the 2005 World Series.

The 30 Club recipients of the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award are:

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