Pete Fairbanks is Rays’ nominee for Roberto Clemente Award

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks has been named the club’s 2025 nominee for Major League Baseball’s Roberto Clemente Award, the sport’s most prestigious individual honor recognizing character, philanthropy and community impact.

Fairbanks, now in his seventh season with the Rays, earned the nomination after turning personal tragedy into service. In early 2024, he and his wife, Lydia, lost their daughter, Ellis, to Turner syndrome. To honor her, they launched Strikeouts for Ellis, pledging $100 for every strikeout Fairbanks records. The Rays Baseball Foundation matches the amount, with proceeds going to the Turner Syndrome Foundation. The initiative has raised nearly $60,000 to date and is supported by community days, ticket fundraisers and youth-focused events.

In 2023, the Fairbanks family created Pete’s Sneaks, which provides sneakers and school supplies to underserved youth. The effort has grown each year, with recipients ranging from students in The Poynter Institute’s Write Field program to unaccompanied homeless youth supported by Starting Right, Now. The initiative connects players directly with children, who later join the team for a game at Tropicana Field.

The pitcher’s involvement extends across the region. He and Lydia regularly prepare meals at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg, participate in the Rays on the Runway fashion show for the Children’s Dream Fund, and recently joined teammates in supporting GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, which advocates for individuals with Down syndrome.

Following Hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024, Fairbanks worked with Feeding Tampa Bay volunteers at Tropicana Field to distribute food and emergency supplies. He also takes part in the Rays’ annual Week of Giving, supporting toy drives and nonprofits including CASA Pinellas and the Hispanic Services Council.

As part of his nomination, MLB Charities awarded Fairbanks $7,500 to donate to a cause of his choice. The family selected the Beckham Bee Foundation, which provides comfort to critically ill children and grieving families through curated book bundles and personalized memory trunks.

Fairbanks will be formally recognized on Roberto Clemente Day, set for Monday, Sept. 15, when all 30 clubs honor their nominees. Bases and dugout lineup cards across MLB will display the Clemente Day logo, with tributes airing in ballparks and on league platforms.

The overall winner will be announced during the 2025 World Series following a selection process that includes MLB officials, Hall of Fame representatives, media networks and Clemente’s three children. Fans can also vote through Sept. 28 at mlb.com/community/roberto-clemente-award, with the winner of the fan vote counting as one ballot in the final tally.

First established in 1971 as the Commissioner’s Award, the honor was renamed in 1973 to memorialize Clemente, who died delivering earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua in 1972.