ST. LOUIS -- When Carlos Delgado was growing up in Puerto Rico, he learned all about the legacy of Roberto Clemente and idolized the late Hall of Fame outfielder.
That's why it meant so much to Delgado to win the 2006 Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a major league player who combines community service with excellence on the field.
"This is a great honor for me," the New York Mets' first baseman said Tuesday before Game 3 of the World Series between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals. "This is something really special, just because I'm Puerto Rican -- 34 years after Roberto has passed, his legacy is still very much alive."
Delgado, who wears No. 21 as a tribute to Clemente, was chosen from 30 nominees, one from each big league team, by a committee that includes commissioner Bud Selig and Vera Clemente, Roberto's widow.
The slugger joins a list of previous winners that includes 11 Hall of Famers, such as the late Kirby Puckett, Ozzie Smith and Dave Winfield.
Clemente, of course, grew up in Puerto Rico and became an All-Star right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while trying to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He finished his career with exactly 3,000 hits.
"He's an icon," said Delgado, his right wrist wrapped following surgery Monday for carpal tunnel syndrome. "When they talk about Clemente, I'm a fan. I (said), 'When I grow up I want to be like that.'"
Delgado joined former Seattle star Edgar Martinez (2004) as the only players from Puerto Rico to win the Clemente Award. Players are eligible to win only once.
Just a couple of seasons ago, Delgado was scorned by some for refusing to stand on the field for the playing of God Bless America in protest of the U.S.-Iraq war.
"I don't see how one thing's got to do with another. I mean, this is the person that I am. Maybe people, they didn't know you, they just kind of listened to somebody else say something and said, 'OK, well, I hate this guy.' Well fine, I don't have a problem," Delgado said.
"I just go on with my life. I think I respect everybody. I respect everybody's opinion. I have my opinions, and I try to be a good citizen, it's as simple as that."
Five years ago, Delgado started Extra Bases, a charity based in Puerto Rico designed to help underprivileged children. He has donated $500,000 to the foundation.
For the past two years, he also sponsored two four-year college scholarships and trips to New York for top students in Puerto Rico.
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