Orioles’ James McCann nominated for 2024 Roberto Clemente Award: ‘It means a lot to players’

BOSTON — The Orioles have nominated James McCann for the Roberto Clemente Award, announcing Monday that the veteran catcher will be one of 30 players across MLB included in a fan vote to determine the 2024 winner. It’s the second time he has been nominated in his career. McCann, 34, was the Orioles’ choice as the player who “best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

” In addition to being a clubhouse leader, he and his wife Jessica are involved in several charity initiatives across the Baltimore area. “It’s very special,” McCann said of the nomination. “The Clemente Award, it’s a different award, obviously.



It’s what you do in the community, what you do off the field. What Roberto Clemente stands for, who he was, obviously, as a player and then just who he was to his community, words don’t really describe what it is to be viewed in that same light. Being nominated for that, it’s a very special award.

I’m proud of it, and I feel very strongly that using my platform to be able to impact the community in a positive way is very important.” Over the past year, the McCann family has worked to support students in Harlem Park as part of the Orioles’ larger initiative in the community and of working with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to help families of children born prematurely. He’s also partnered with Dream On 3 to help a pair of adopted brothers, DJ and Marshall, with life-altering conditions fulfill their dream of getting a VIP experience at an Orioles game.

The Orioles credit McCann for his participation in the club’s Military Suites Program and his work with the Church of the City’s Wrap Around Closet in Nashville as well. “He’s done a lot of great things with the community and congratulations to him,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “This is a big award.

This is something that’s really, really special. It means a lot to players, so for him to get this nomination, and have a chance to win this, a credit to him and his wife for what they do off the field in helping so many people.” McCann would be the fifth player in Orioles history to win the award, joining Brooks Robinson (1972), Ken Singleton (1982), Cal Ripken Jr.

(1992), and Eric Davis (1997). New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is the reigning winner. Originally created in 1971 as the Commissioner’s Award, the annual honor was named for Clemente after he died in a plane crash while on his way to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

He was 38 years old. Lauded for his toughness — especially after he after being hit in the face by a pitch in July — McCann has served as the Orioles’ backup catcher each of the last two years. He entered this week’s series against the Boston Red Sox hitting .

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