Clemente Award caps career year for Moyer

MIAMI — An already memorable season for Jamie Moyer was capped last night when he was presented with the Roberto Clemente Award, given for outstanding work in the community.

Moyer, who won a career-high 21 games for the Mariners this season and made the All-Star Game for the first time at age 40, received the award from Clemente's widow, Vera Clemente, before Game 3 of the World Series at Pro Player Stadium.

Fittingly, Moyer was accompanied by his wife, Karen, with whom he established the Moyer Foundation in 2000. At a news conference, Moyer paid an emotional tribute to Karen.

"I have a great backbone and that would be my wife," he said. "Karen has opened my eyes to a lot of things and a lot of people and a lot of situations off the field. ... Without her and without starting our foundation, I don't think we would be sitting here today."

The award has been handed out since 1971, and was renamed for Clemente in 1973. Past winners include Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Brooks Robinson, Al Kaline, Willie Stargell, Lou Brock, Rod Carew, Phil Niekro, Gary Carter, Ozzie Smith and Kirby Puckett, as well as former Mariners infielder Harold Reynolds, who emceed the ceremony.

Clemente died in a plane crash Dec. 31, 1972, during a humanitarian mission to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Moyer, who was a youngster living near Philadelphia when Clemente died, said he remembered little of Clemente's playing career but was well aware of his stature in the game.

"Reading the literature and understanding the history of this award, what he was as a teammate and player, how he was as a humanitarian — it's a huge honor," Moyer said. "To be given this award, to be thought of in the same light, it's awfully special.

"An award is an award, but I feel I need to go out and make this stand, and say, 'You know what? I need to go out and do more.' It's not to attain more awards. It's, this is what I'm talking, and it's walk the walk. To me, that's what it's about."

The Moyer Foundation has raised more than $3 million and provided assistance to more than 150 different organizations. In 2001, the foundation created "Camp Erin," a weekend bereavement camp to provide counseling for children and teenagers grieving the death of a loved one. Last year, they created "The Gregory Fund," supporting early detection cancer research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

"The thing I really like about charity, you're never too young or old," Moyer said. "Everyone has a niche. Not everyone has found that. Some won't, and some will. It takes something inside, and when you're prepared to do it, that's your time."

John Hancock, the award's sponsor, presented the Moyer Foundation with $25,000 and also will contribute $30,000 in Moyer's name to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a multi-purpose sports and education center in Puerto Rico.

Moyer said his community work helps him keep the game in proper perspective.

"Baseball means a lot to me. It's my life," he said. "But getting involved in charity, and seeing how you can make a difference, that can go on forever. Baseball is not going to go on forever."