By Krystina Lucido

Orioles rising star and community advocate Nick Markakis was chosen as the Orioles nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for his dedication to bettering the community in which he plays.

Wednesday, Sept. 2 marks the day the baseball world honors a player who not only touched the community on the field but off the field as well. Roberto Clemente passed away New Year’s Eve 1972 en route to delivering supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

To remember the man who worked tirelessly to help others in need, MLB will present the eighth annual Roberto Clemente Award to the player who best represents the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. Thirty club nominees have been selected and the national winner be announced at Game 3 of the 2009 World Series.

Markakis was selected by the team for his many forays in the community. From the launch of the Right Side Foundation earlier this year to his recent $75,000 contribution to the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation, Markakis has made it his responsibility as a well-known community member to reach out and help others in need.

Markakis and his wife, Christina, have instituted a regular program called “Fun for 21” where Nick, who wears uniform No. 21, and Christina treat 21 children from an established Maryland non-profit to a special day of activities. Youth from the Maryland Ronald McDonald House were treated to a day of games and lunch at the local ESPNZone restaurant and a VIP visit to the National Aquarium in the first “Fun for 21” event in June. A second “Fun for 21” event is slated to take place this month.

Their first annual 5K run and one-mile fun walk drew nearly 600 participants to Patterson Park and the couple regularly donates their Camden Yards suite to a local youth group.

In addition to the Right Side Foundation’s work in the community, Markakis has committed to donating $75,000 each season to the Orioles Charitable Foundation which will benefit Reviving Baseball in the Inner City (RBI) League, Shannon’s Fund and Baltimore City Schools education programs. The Markakis’ previously worked with Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School in July when the Orioles partnered with the school system for a Summer Learning Curriculum including lessons inspired by baseball.

Markakis has also worked with MLB's Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer campaign and was the Orioles’ representative for this season’s Home Run Challenge to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Orioles will honor him for his nomination in a ceremony prior to Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees.

Posted: Sept. 2, 2009