Boston's Wakefield given Clemente humanitarian award

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was given the Roberto Clemente Award on Thursday by Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig prior to Game Two of the World Series for his charitable work.

The award, recognizing players' contributions to the community, is named for the 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while trying to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Wakefield, who has registered 193 wins over an 18-year career with the Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, has been involved in non-profit organizations helping children in the New England region and in his Florida home town, helping to raise millions of dollars on their behalf.

"This is a very special day for me and I am extremely honored," said Wakefield. "Roberto's legacy truly epitomizes how an athlete should act, not only on the field, but off as well. That's what I've tried to emulate throughout my career."

Wakefield was selected from a list of 30 nominees, one from each major league club.

(Reporting by Larry Fine, Editing by Frank Pingue)