New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award on Tuesday.
Delgado, 34, was deemed the major leaguer who best combined community service with excellence on the field this season.
The winner is chosen annually from a list of 30 nominees, one from each ball club, by a panel which includes commissioner Bud Selig and Clemente's widow, Vera.
"This is a great honour for me," said Delgado, a native Puerto Rican who idolized Clemente and wears No. 21 in tribute to the late Hall of Famer and noted humanitarian.
"This is something really special, just because I'm Puerto Rican.
Thirty-four years after Roberto has passed, his legacy is still very much alive."
Clemente was named an all-star in 12 of his 18 MLB seasons, all with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Hall of Fame right-fielder also won 12 Gold Glove Awards and four batting titles as well as the 1966 National League Most Valuable Player Award and 1971 World Series MVP.
Clemente collected his 3,000th hit on Sept. 30, 1972, but died in a plane crash three months later at age 38.
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