Lakewood alum and current Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford was once again nominated for the MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award by his squad. It’s the second consecutive year Crawford has been nominated for the award, which according to the MLB is “bestowed annually to the player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”
The award, named after the legendary Clemente, is baseball’s “character award,” and is considered one of the highest honors in the sport. Each team nominates a player every year, and it’s significant that Crawford has been put up twice in a row by Seattle.
“It means a lot, but it’s not really the reason I do that–I want to help out kids,” Crawford said in a press conference. “It’s just about doing the right thing and being a good human being…I always told myself when I was little, if I make it, I’m going to do something to give back.”
Crawford has done a lot in his adopted home of Seattle. He’s worked with charities that promote youth baseball and softball access, as well as several Mariners charities with donations and volunteer appearances.
He and his wife Kathy, a fellow Lakewood alum, have supporter Seattle charities including the Rizzs Toys For Kids Foundation, which he also volunteers to help distribute gifts for. The duo have also spearheaded work with the Seattle Angels program, which helps more than 20 foster care girls each year. The Crawfords have also supported the Washington STate Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Team Okanogan Animal Rescue, The Players Alliance, Friends of Baseball Nike RBI, Mariners Care Foundation and more.
Crawford and his family have remained connected locally as well even as his MLB career has taken him to the Pacific Northwest. Crawford is one of the most prominent boardmembers and faces of the Baseball Generations Foundation, which he’s also supported financially. BBG seeks to make baseball accessible to youth regardless of their family’s financial status, and they’ve helped more than 650 players join the game over the last five years.
The BBG All-Star event Crawford hosts every year has become a staple of Southern California ball, with 44 alums drafted by MLB players and more than 200 receiving NCAA scholarships.
In addition to their home in Seattle, the Crawfords have a home in East Long Beach and plan to continue giving back locally. Among Crawford’s many local charitable efforts, he has also sponsored The562’s coverage of his alma mater, Lakewood High, for the last three school years.
