Lakewood alum JP Crawford has been named the Seattle Mariners’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, making him a finalist for one of the most prestigious awards in all of sports. The Roberto Clemente Award is given each year to a MLB player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”
Crawford is known as a star shortstop for the Mariners who’s the Gold Glove award. But this honor recognizes his enormous impact off the field.
In Southern California and his hometown of Long Beach, his impact has been felt a variety of ways. First he’s a longtime sponsor of our Lakewood High coverage, making it possible for The 562 to cover his alma mater. He’s also on the board of the Baseball Generations Foundation (known as BBG).
BBG’s camps and all-stars games have made baseball accessible to young Black athletes, with more than 500 players receiving equipment and playing opportunities. Nearly 30 of the program’s alums have been drafted by MLB teams, with more than 130 players moving on to the NCAA Division 1 level.
Crawford is a fixture at BBG events in the offseason and has been one of the faces of the organization. In Seattle, he teams with the Mariners in creating the Hometown Nine program, providing underserved youth in Seattle with equipment and opportunities.
Crawford is also a constant present in the Seattle community and at Mariners charity events. He partners with Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizz to support his Rizzs Toys 4 Kids Foundation and helps distribute gifts throughout the holiday season.
He’s also supporter a variety of charities including Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV), Team Okanogan Animal Rescue, The Players Alliance, Friends of Baseball Nike RBI and more.
Crawford and his wife, high school sweetheart Kathy, support the Seattle Angels program that helps 20+ foster girls each year. The Crawfords help connect the girls with Mariners players who sponsor back-to-school shopping for clothes and supplies.
Crawford has said that he supports all these different programs because of how much he loves kids. He and Kathy are set to welcome their first child this offseason.
The MLB will announce the Roberto Clemente Award winner this October.
