Mookie Betts wins Roberto Clemente Award

LOS ANGELES – Soon after Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez won the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award, Mookie Betts approached the CEO of his 5050 Foundation and told her he wanted to win the prestigious award.

There aren’t many awards that Betts hasn’t already won in his distinguished big league career. The Dodgers’ eight-time All-Star and three-time World series champion added baseball’s most prestigious award to his resume on Monday.

The 2018 American League MVP received the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award before he played in Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.

“First, I want to thank God just for giving me the platform to give back to all kids,” he said. “It doesn’t matter, grownups, whoever. I want to thank my parents — my mom’s here, dad’s at home — but my parents for raising a good kid. You guys did a good job, gave me a lot of morals and values, and that’s why I’m able to sit here today with this award.”

Helping through 5050 Foundation

Betts’ humanitarian efforts are diverse with a major focus on helping youth and underserved groups. After helping the Astros win the 2020 World Series, he and his wife Brianna founded the 5050 Foundation in 2021. 

“She’s been with me every step of the way,” Betts said of his wife. “And when we’re going to give food to the homeless in the middle of the night or to schools or whoever, she’s always by my side. So thank you.”

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The 5050 Foundation is “dedicated to breaking barriers for underserved youth through four core pillars: mental/emotional health, nutrition, financial literacy, and physical fitness,” according to MLB. “Additionally, his foundation raised more than $100,000 through community fundraising efforts this March.

“Mookie partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to contribute $160,000 to the Brother Crusade, supporting hunger and homelessness initiatives.”

After wildfires ravaged the Los Angeles suburb of Altadena this year, Betts donated $30,000 in Nike apparel to victims. His foundation also provided financial assistance and recovery resources to a family who lost their home in the Eaton Fire.

Huge honor

“Well, this is a huge honor,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the Clemente Award. “I think every athlete will say they’re people first, and playing baseball is what he does for a living. 

“But a humanitarian award like this and to be recognized, to get this Roberto Clemente Award is quite the achievement. Give Mookie, I give Bri, his wife, a lot of credit, their foundation. To be able to balance and prioritize on the field performance with off-the-field impact is pretty amazing, and I think he’s the fourth Dodger to ever receive this award, so just tip of the cap to Mookie.”

The Nashville native has also collaborated with the Los Angeles Unified School District on an academic challenge for athletic teams in the district. He also funds the Mookie Betts Metro Baseball Tournament in Nashville and the “Team Mookie” AAU basketball program, which has six youth teams, including the 2024 EYBL 16U National Champions.

Those are just a few of his charitable efforts.  MLB renamed his humanitarian award in 1973 in honor of Clemente, the Puerto Rican legend and Hall of Famer. Clemente died on a relief mission on Dec. 31 1972. He boarded a cargo plane with relief supplies for victims of a devastating earthquake in Nicaragua. His plane crashed into the ocean shortly after departure from the San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“I feel like I’m a part of the Puerto Rican family now,” Betts said. “Kiké (Hernandez) came and said something. (Alex) Cora texted me and said I’m Rican now. … But being able to put on No. 21 and knowing all that he did and what his family still does is just a blessing, so I thank you guys.”