Tim Wakefield will be awarded the Roberto Clemente Award prior to Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night, according to CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam in San Francisco.
The notable honor is given annually to "a player who demonstrates the values Clemente displayed in his commitment to community and understanding the value of helping others." Established in 1971, it was called the Commissioner's Award before being renamed in honor of the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer when he died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 en route to provide relief to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Each team nominates one player and "a panel of baseball dignitaries," including Vera Clemente, Roberto's widow, and commissioner Bud Selig helps select the winner. Wakefield, 44, received the Red Sox nomination for the eighth time. He is the first player in franchise history to win the honor.
Previous winners include Curt Schilling (2001), Tony Gwynn (1999), Dave Winfield (1994), Rod Carew (1977), Brooks Robinson (1972) and Willie Mays (1971). New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter won the award last year.
Going into his 17th season in Boston, Wakefield has been heavily involved in charitable work around New England. Most of his efforts generously gear funds to aid children in need.
His annual Tim Wakefield Celebrity Golf event benefits special-needs children and he has been involved since he arrived in Boston with the Franciscan Hospital for Children and Dana-Farber Clinic. He and catcher Jason Varitek are active in New England's Pitching for Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in New England.
Wakefield will enter the 2011 season with 193 career wins. He was 4-10 with a 5.34 ERA in 2010, becoming the oldest Red Sox pitcher to win a game when he defeated Tampa Bay on Sept. 8.
