Did you know that Roberto Clemente was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1954 and played for their Triple-A affiliate in Montreal, Canada?

During the season, each Major League club selects a local Roberto Clemente Award recipient. The local honoree is then eligible for the national Roberto Clemente Award, which is presented annually at the World Series. Edgar Martinez won in 2004 and received the award from Commissioner Bud Selig prior to Game 3 of the 2004 World Series. Here is the official entry for Edgar Martinez submitted by the Seattle Mariners Public Relations Department:

Edgar Martinez bio

Edgar Martinez and his wife, Holli, have given back to the Seattle community in numerous ways over the years. Through countless hours, funds, resources and contributions, they will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of children and families in the Pacific Northwest for years to come.

Martinez has supported several charities and non-profit organizations throughout his career, including: Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Children's Hospital, Overlake Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wishing Star Foundation, United Way, Esperanza, Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs and Mariners Care.

Since 2001, Martinez and his wife have been involved with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. The mission of the organization is to help enable people with Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy to survive, thrive and fully participate within their families and communities. His involvement with Parent Project not only has helped bring attention to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed in children, but has helped raise significant funds for new research in Seattle.

In December 2001, he and his wife hosted "A Night of Hope" fundraising dinner and auction. The event raised $100,000 for Parent Project and created two research fellowships for Seattle-based scientists studying Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

In March of 2003, they stepped up to support Overlake Hospital Medical Center as honorary co-chairs of the hospital's $2.5 million community phase of the Auxiliaries & Foundation $28 million Capital Campaign. The couple served as major campaign spokespersons, making public service announcements (PSAs), hosting community events and helping the hospital with their efforts to improve medical care in the Seattle community. Their involvement with the campaign extended through the 2004 Grand Slam Bandage Ball. The event, for which Martinez procured numerous auction items, raised $1 million.

He also is a longtime supporter of Children's Hospital. In 2002, he served as the Honorary Chair of the Children's Hospital Wishing Well Night at Safeco Field. Martinez was featured in television PSAs promoting Wishing Well donations. In addition, he procured auction items to raise additional funds. The event raised more than $120,000 for Uncompensated Care at Children's Hospital. In 2003, he teamed up with Harley Davidson to create a poster benefiting Children's Hospital and proceeds from the poster sales were nearly $9,000. He also has made numerous visits to the hospital to spend time with kids and put smiles on their faces.

Martinez also has been involved with the United Way. He filmed a PSA to encourage people to support the 2003/2004 United Way Campaign. In September of 2003, he was named the United Way of King County Community All-Star Award winner for his contributions to the United Way and to the community.

In addition, Martinez is a big supporter of Esperanza, a non-profit organization that provides health care and educational opportunities, along with family assistance and economic development programs, for poor families in Latin America. Esperanza awarded Martinez its inaugural International Award of Hope for his contributions.

Source: Seattle Mariners Public Relations Department.

The Great One reached the 3,000 Hits Club on the final day of the 1972 season. On New Year's Eve of that year, he died on a mercy flight to provide relief for Nicaraguan earthquake victims.