Thursday Newsletter time: Nelson Cruz receives recognition he has long deserved with Roberto Clemente Award
The former Texas Rangers star has been a stalwart on the field, and off it in the Dominican Republic.
The Roberto Clemente Award isn’t the MVP or Cy Young. Major League Baseball calls the Clemente Award baseball’s most prestigious individual award, and that might not just be hyperbole from the suits in New York.
The award goes to the one MLB player who makes the most significant contributions on and off the field. It goes to the player who uses his ability on the field as a platform to help his community.
Nelson Cruz has been doing that for more than a decade, beginning with his time with the Texas Rangers. On Wednesday, his work was finally recognized.
Cruz was announced as the winner of the 2021 Roberto Clemente Award, primarily for the work he does in his native Dominican Republic. Most recently, he has helped provide financial assistance to people unable to work because of COVID-19 in his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz, and each year he provides dental and eye care to the town.
He commissioned a study to find what resources his hometown needs. He donated a fire truck during his time with the Rangers.
Cruz still hasn’t forgotten the Metroplex. He donates memorabilia each year to the Do It For Durrett Foundation’s annual silent auction, and his efforts have accounted to thousands raised to help DFW families.
He’s good a man and a deserving Clemente winner.
Not a happy 10th
Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, which saw the Rangers twice move within a strike of becoming baseball’s champions only to lose the game. They lost Game 7 10 years ago today.
A lot has happened in the time since. The Rangers fell apart late in 2012 after being the best team in baseball the first 5 1/2 months. The 2013 team lost in a tiebreaker for the wild-card game, Ron Washington resigned during the disastrous 2014 season, and the Rangers won the American League West in 2015 and 2016 under Jeff Banister.
Throw in 2009 and 2010, and that’s a terrific six-year stretch.
They haven’t had a winning season since 2016. A sixth straight losing season is on the horizon.
But the Rangers believe they are getting close to being a contender again, which seems far-fetched coming off a 102-loss season. They are seeing things beneath the surface, and are buoyed by the assurance that ownership is about to spend some money.
It took the Rangers 38 years to get to their first World Series. It’s been 10 since their last. For the fans’ sake, here’s hoping it doesn’t take 28 more years until the Rangers’ next Fall Classic.
ICYMI …
If you’re like Mrs. Wilson, you work around the clock and can’t take time for your guilty pleasures like TikTok videos and the Newsletter. No problem. Here’s what’s new at jeffwilson.substack.com, in case you missed it. …
The Sunday Read: The healing power of money.
Ron Washington is Vince Lombardi.
Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast: guest Emily Jones.
Happy homecoming for this Rangers prospect.
Get a Do It For Durrett shirt or hat.
Doggy video!
This is, in my opinion, one of the funniest videos ever. An oldie but a goody. Enjoy. See you Friday.
