By Steve Ginsburg
ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox was named the winner of the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award on Thursday for his community service contributions and value to his team.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig cited Ortiz for his efforts to "support and provide relief" for children in the United States, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
"David's many accomplishments helping children in need have been really, really extraordinary," Selig told a news conference prior to Game Two of the World Series.
"I know, David, that Roberto Clemente would be very proud of you and the efforts that you've made."
Ortiz was selected by a panel that included Selig, Clemente's wife Vera, who is baseball's goodwill ambassador, and Cal Ripken Jr., a Hall of Famer who won the Clemente Award in 1992.
"It's a great honor for me to be part of this award, being mentioned with Roberto Clemente," said Ortiz, a seven-time All-Star. "All of us are here for a reason.
Clemente was a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
