Beginning on Roberto Clemente Day, Fans Can Vote for the National Award Recipient on ChevyBaseball.com/Clemente and Register for a Chance to Win a Trip to 2011 World Series.

   Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, today announced that second baseman Orlando Hudson was named the San Diego Padres’ 2011 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Hudson is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. Tomorrow will mark the tenth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy and to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet.

   The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. It is named for the 12-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

   This is Hudson’s third nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award. He was previously the 2009 nominee for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the 2007 nominee for the Arizona Diamondbacks. His commitment to helping children and families struggling with autism is evidenced by his C.A.T.C.H. Foundation (Curing Autism Through Change and Hope), which he established in 2008. The mission of the C.A.T.C.H. Foundation is to enable children with autism to enjoy a normal life through the funding of outlets for proper therapy, education and extracurricular activities.

   In addition to his work for the C.A.T.C.H. Foundation, Hudson is a fixture in the San Diego community, regularly volunteering his time for club-organized events. Each year on the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s Major League debut, Hudson launches the Around the Mound Tour (ATMT), a national program designed to spark an interest in baseball for African American youth. The ATMT focuses on tools to make kids successful both on and off the field, including the importance of education and respect.

   “Orlando personifies the values we want to see in every member of the Padres organization,” said Padres Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Moorad. “He understands the importance of giving back and making a positive impact in the community, serving as a leader for his teammates and a role model for young fans. Orlando is living Roberto Clemente’s legacy.”

   “It’s a great feeling to be nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award,” said Hudson. “I’ve always believed that what you do off the field is just as important as what you do on the field and I am just blessed to be in a position to help families that are coping with autism or struggling within their communities.”

   The Padres will honor Hudson and recognize his nomination during an on-field pregame ceremony on Friday, September 16.