Beltran Wins Roberto Clemente Award

SPOKANE, Wash., - Former Spokane Indians outfielder, and current St. Louis Cardinal, Carlos Beltran was named the recipient of the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award - MLB's top humanitarian honor - by Major League Baseball.

Beltran, who played for Spokane in 1996, is just the seventh player to receive the honor while participating in the World Series. Of the other six players, another former Spokane Indians player, Steve Garvey, won the award while helping the Los Angeles Dodgers best the New York Yankees in the 1981 Fall Classic.

The 36-year-old Beltran and his wife, Jessica, founded the Carlos Beltran Foundation with the mission of empowering young people to achieve their dreams through sports and education. The foundation strives to provide a dynamic learning experience where young people can develop and enhance their athletic gifts and excel academically. The two opened the Academy in Beltran's native Puerto Rico.

"Giving back, not everyone chooses to do that," Beltran told MLB.com. And that's something that I take a lot of pride in. I take a lot of pride not only playing the game of baseball, but I also take a lot of pride giving back, because I know when you give back, doors are going to be opened for you in your life."

Each year, the Roberto Clemente Award recognizes the player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. The award pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. It is named for 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.

Beltran is playing in his first World Series after playing in 26 League Championship Series games and in 2,064 regular-season games. His 37 career postseason RBIs rank seventh all-time, and his 16 career postseason homers rank eighth all-time. Of players with at least 100 postseason plate appearances, Beltran sits at No. 3 on MLB's all-time postseason OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) list directly behind two historic players from the original Yankees dynasty: Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

While playing for Spokane in '96, Beltran hit .270 with seven home runs, eight doubles, 10 stolen bases and 29 RBIs.

The Spokane Indians open the 2014 regular season on Friday, June 13th at Avista Stadium against the Eugene Emeralds.

The Spokane Indians would like to thank all of our fans for their support during the record-setting 2013 season. The Indians are the Short Season Class "A" affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Season Ticket packages are on sale now for the 2014 season. Click here for the 2014 schedule. Reserve your seats today by calling the Avista Stadium Ticket Office at (509) 343-OTTO (6886).