Stroman's work with youth earns him 3rd Clemente Award nomination

This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Marcus Stroman was proud to wear No. 21 across his back on Sept. 15, when Major League Baseball celebrated Roberto Clemente Day. It was even more meaningful to be the Yankees’ choice for the award bearing the Hall of Famer’s name.

Stroman is the Yankees’ 2024 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, an annual recognition given to the Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

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As part of the annual program, each club nominates one player to be considered for the league-wide award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.

“I’m very grateful and honored to be nominated for this prestigious award,” Stroman said. “It’s a testament to being in a position that I’m very thankful for -- a position where I can give back to people. It’s also a testament to the team around me and how proactive we are in doing as much as we can in the community. For me, it’s gratifying to be able to help those less fortunate and be a light for kids or anyone else out there who needs it. I’m blessed to be at a point in my career where I can be an example for the next generation, while also teaching them that when they get to a certain level in life, it’s all about giving back.”

This marks Stroman’s third nod for the Clemente Award, having also been acknowledged in 2017 with the Blue Jays and ’23 with the Cubs.

In 2019, Stroman launched the Height Doesn’t Measure Heart Foundation (HDMH), a nonprofit with a mission to create valuable opportunities for children and young people, especially those from inner cities and underserved areas, to help them rise above their circumstances and pursue their dreams. Often citing his status as one of the shortest pitchers in the league, Stroman’s story of overcoming doubt and outworking his peers has resonated with fans.

This season, the Medford, N.Y., native has focused his community outreach in the area around Yankee Stadium, holding a series of meet-and-greets with local youth and community organizations, including the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, DREAM Charter Schools, the YMCA and NYPD Blue Chips.

In collaboration with the educational platform Bold.org, Stroman also announced the launch of the Marcus Stroman Scholarship, an initiative to empower Bronx-based high school seniors.

In August, Stroman met with this year’s two recipients -- Geurys Florentino from Monsignor Scanlan High School and Elani Wyatt from Equality Charter High School -- and presented each of them with a $25,000 scholarship to help cover expenses for the 2024-25 academic year.

Over a five-year span, 10 students will receive a scholarship, with Stroman’s foundation committing $200,000 in addition to $50,000 from Bold.org.

“I realize how many incredibly authentic and smart individuals and kids are out there, that just don’t have the opportunities that they need,” Stroman said. “I went to Duke University, and education was something that was always huge to me. My parents pushed me from the time I was a young kid; I wasn’t allowed to go out and play sports unless I was killing it in the classroom. This means the world to me, to have my own scholarship fund now and be able to help people moving forward.”